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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
code7r has commented on (93) products
50 Ribbon Rosettes & Bows to Make: For Perfectly Wrapped Gifts, Gorgeous Hair Clips, Beautiful Corsages, and Decorative Fun!
by
Deanna Csomo McCool
code7r
, August 31, 2014
Visually, "50 Ribbon Rosettes..." is very eye catching! It has directions from hair clips, to head bands, to bows for presents. Each project has a picture to accompany it and really good instructions. This isn't just for little girls, there are projects for women (I'm partial to the headbands) and everyone else (bows for presents). Some of the styles even brought me back to my childhood when I had made similar things for my hair. This book would be really fun for children as they can see what the end product will look like. The instructions are easy to follow. I recommend this book for anyone who likes to create things with their hands. *** I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway, but the opinion is solely my own and not influenced by the Giveaway.***
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Not My Fathers Son
by
Alan Cumming
code7r
, August 23, 2014
I knew of Alan Cumming before reading this book, but he was more in my periphery and I didn't know much about him. I like reading biographies and was happy when this book arrived in my mailbox. Alan Cumming is very raw and honest throughout the book. A major theme throughout the book is his abusive father. The challenges that Alan Cumming had to overcome to get to where he is now is impressive. If you like biographies, or if you like Alan Cumming, then pick up this book. Mr. Cumming made himself vulnerable in this book, but this book was also a way of healing for Mr. Cumming. **I received this book through Goodreads Giveaway program. That did not influence my opinion and all opinions are solely my own.**
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Daring to Challenge OCD Overcome Your Fear of Treatment & Take Control of Your Life Using Exposure & Response Prevention
by
Jeff Bell
code7r
, August 23, 2014
If you or someone you know suffers from OCD, then you might want to pick up this book. Although I do not suffer from OCD and cannot apply this book to myself, it seemed to be well researched with a lot of suggestions on how to manage your OCD. The author includes the stories of three people who have different OCD symptoms to help illustrate her points and make them seem attainable. If you suffer from OCD, you might want to pick up this book. It may be able to help you alleviate some of the symptoms of OCD... if not, at least you will know that you are not alone and that there are others who understand what you are going through. **This book was received through Goodreads Giveaway program. It did not influence my opinion and all opinions are solely my own.**
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Wilson
by
A Scott Berg
code7r
, October 20, 2013
If you want a comprehensive book on Woodrow Wilson, you have found it in A. Scott Berg's book titled simply "Wilson." The book is almost 800 pages of highly researched and thoroughly entertaining and informative information about our 28th president. I realized as I was reading it that I really did not know anything about this president. After reading it, I know a lot and I feel it was an excellent use of my reading time. Highly engrossing and often hard to put down, which is the goal of any book! If you like to read about history and about American presidents, then you will highly enjoy this book. **This book was received through GoodReads Member Giveaway. This did not influence my opinion in any way.**
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Everybody Present: Mindfulness in Education
by
Nikolaj Rotne and Didde Flor Rotne
code7r
, October 20, 2013
According to the authors, Nikolaj Flor Rotne and Didde Flor Rotne “Everybody Present: Mindfulness in Education” is meant to “demonstrate how mindfulness techniques can transform not just children but the adults who teach them.” Reading the title and the blurb on the back of the book, I assumed it was going to be mostly focused on children in the classroom and how to create a better environment for them to learn in. It does touch on this, but that is not what the main focus of the book is. There are a lot of stories from the authors’ lives (which I love) about their journey and how the book came into being. There are also a lot of stories to help Illustrate a point and there are mindfulness exercise such as keeping a gratitude journal, deep breathing and breath awareness. That is what this book excels at: how to breath, how to calm yourself, how to acknowledge feelings such as anger without letting the feelings dictate our behavior. If you are looking for direct skills that can be instituted immediately in the classroom, then this book probably is not for you. I thought some of the ideas were lovely, such as a minute of silence before class, and although I would love if my children’s teacher could implement sessions where the kids focus on breath, I know that you would also get a lot of parents upset that this was being taught to their children. They would not see it as mindfulness but as a way to “convert” kids in a way they would not like. I do not agree with that, but that is the reality. Although from the title it does sound like it is centered around the classroom, the book is actually written for anyone who reads it; a parent, teacher, friend, mentor, yourself. I think that the title is actually a little misleading. You can use it with children, but it is not limited to that. Overall I enjoyed the book with the true stories, the stories to help make a point, and the various exercises within. I think that anyone who picks this up can use it to help themselves become more aware and mindful. **This book was received through GoodReads Member Giveaway. This did not influence my opinion in any way.**
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Cryonic A Zombie Novel
by
Travis Bradberry
code7r
, September 15, 2013
I was excite to get Travis Bradberry's new novel "Cryonic: A Zombie Novel." I'm not one who normally reads zombie novels, but his take on it that a man named Royce Bruyere was cryogenically frozen and is reanimated into a different United States then he remembers. He wakes up to be surrounded by Chinese people and finds out that the United States was invaded by China. He is the first person to be successfully reanimated, but through Chinese greediness, the others that are reanimated after he was turn out to become zombies. Interesting, huh? Definitely. Unfortunately, I was disappointed in the book. I felt that the main character was a little unbelievable and completely unlikable. The dialogue seems forced. Perhaps I had higher expectations since it was written by an award-winning author who has sold more than a million copies of his books. I really like the premise and there is a good story there, but not in this version of the book. Although I was disappointed in this book, it would not stop me from reading other books by this author. Clearly he has a vivid imagination and perhaps it comes through clearer in other works. **I received this book from the Goodreads Members Giveaways. It did not influence my review.**
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The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen Year Old Boy with Autism
by
Naoki Higashida and Ka Yoshida
code7r
, September 15, 2013
“The Reason I Jump” was originally published in 2007 in Japanese by a 13 year old autistic boy. It was translated into English in 2013. Naoki Higashida was pretty much a non-verbal autistic. He learned to spell out words through the use of an alphabet grid. In his book, Naoki answers common questions that people have about what it is like to be autistic. Some examples are: Why don’t you make eye contact when you’re talking? Is it true that you hate being touched? and Why do you flap your fingers and hands in front of your face? Naoki tries to answer each question so that the reader fully understands it. He is well spoken and not shy about why he does some things that people find strange. I think that this book would be an excellent tool in the school classroom. If children read what it is like for Naoki to be a non-verbal autistic, then perhaps they would have more empathy and also maybe to try being friends with someone who is different. This was definitely an interesting peek into the mind of an autistic! **I received this book from the Goodreads Members Giveaways. It did not influence my review.**
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January First: A Child's Descent Into Madness and Her Father's Struggle to Save Her
by
Michael Schofield
code7r
, August 24, 2013
“January First” by Michael Schofield is a remarkable story of a young girl who has full-blown schizophrenia. The story is told from the father’s perspective, Michael Schofield. I had seen the documentary on Jani and so I already knew the story before reading the book. This family is remarkable. Instead of hiding their daughter away, they decided to tell the world about her so that maybe the world would be a little kinder to children with disabilities. I did enjoy reading the book and seeing what it was (and is) like from the father’s point of view. What I didn’t expect, and I felt it was distracting, were the pot shots taken at the mother throughout the book… as though it was only the father who fought for Jani. I truly expected that the last page would say they were divorced, but instead he talks about Susan, his wife, and how he wouldn’t have wanted anyone else by his side. When the book focused more on Jani and what she was going through, that was when it was hard to put down. It would have been so easy to have her institutionalized, but the family decided that she was to stay part of the family and made some amazing sacrifices so she could. This book was an amazing peek into what life is like for schizophrenia. I think it would be an interesting read for parents and people who have family or friends with mental disorders. *** I received this book through GoodReads First Readers Giveaway. It had no influence on my review. ***
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Sailing an Alien Sea
by
Cindy L. Gold
code7r
, August 17, 2013
“Sailing an Alien Sea” by Cindy Gold is a book that is set mostly in the 1970s in Sante Fe that focuses on a girl, Sylvie, as the main character, and Emily (her older sister) and Nola (who is friends with both) as supporting characters. The 70s was much different from today, especially with the freedoms that kids took (leaving the house and having mom yell “be back home in time for dinner” and not really knowing where her kid was) and as a child of the 70s, it was nice to revisit that time. I really liked Sylvie. She is a tough, smart girl who has a big heart. Through her sister, Emily, she meets Nola who has a very visible disability. How the author dealt with Nola was really great. She acknowledged the disability but didn’t focus on it; it was just a part of Sylvie’s world that she accepted. We didn’t feel sorry for Nola, but were impressed that her limitations didn’t stop her. Nola gave Sylvie strength by being strong herself. This book was an enjoyable read that will be enjoyed by tweens, teens and adults. It is a book about unconditional love and acceptance, about trying to do what is right but messing up at times, and about finding yourself. I felt that the story could have been tightened up in spots, but that is probably the only “fault” of the book. I look forward to reading more works by this author. **I received this book through GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. It did not affect my review.**
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Expressionista: How to Express Your True Self Through (and Despite) Fashion
by
Jackie Walker and Pamela Dittmer McKuen
code7r
, August 11, 2013
This book is a cute book for tween and teenage girls. It helps them figure out what their own personal style is (Classic, Natural, Romantic, Dramatic and Trend Tracker). Once the reader figures out what their style is, the book then goes into helping the reader figure out what needs to be in their closet, what is the best way to shop, and how to put it all together. Here and there are personal stories such as the two sisters who had very different styles. The story illustrates how this affected their relationship and how having different styles wasn't a bad thing. Tween and teenage girls will definitely like this book. I can see them quizzing each other and having fun figuring out which persona each one is. It has some good tips in it such as how to organize your closet and how to more effectively shop for your style. The book does well with combining the practical with real life stories and about wearing your personal style with pride! **I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for a review. This did not affect my review in any way.**
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Resilience throughout Recovery: A Memoir of My Journey through Mental Illness
by
Angela Grey
code7r
, August 11, 2013
The blurb on this book caught my eye. My reason for giving it two stars is that there is a good story in there, but it needs to be better executed. The author has a traumatic childhood that follows her into her adult life. She has gone through things that no person should ever have to. It would be inspirational to read about her life and how she overcame, or is still overcoming, all the obstacles that she has had to deal with. My problem is that the book jumps around. Important things get mentioned once and then forgotten. Some things are trivial and I wondered why they were in the book (ex: she moved around a lot and for some reason gave the physical address of one of the places she lived. Was there some significance to this address?). Then she jumped around (ex: her first daughter was placed in a foster home... then suddenly many years later, she doesn't say, the author is suddenly married with four more kids... there is nothing about the time in between). This book needs to go through a couple of revisions. There is a story there, it just needs to be better told.
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How to Be a Good Wife
by
Emma J Chapman
code7r
, August 11, 2013
When I received this book in the mail, I was hoping it would be different than the last few books I reviewed. By different, I mean good. I started reading this book on Friday night and finished on Saturday morning! I couldn't put it down! The story is about a woman who seems to a little unstable mentally. She has never been past a certain point in the town she lives in, she cannot remember her life before her marriage, and she has visions of her little girl. As I started to read, it seemed that the book was about a woman going mad, and then the author turns the story on its head! This is the author's first novel and I hope it isn't the last. It was well written and well told. I definitely think that this book would appeal to a large audience. **I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for a review. This did not affect my review in any way.**
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Spark A Mothers Story of Nurturing Genius
by
Kristine Barnett
code7r
, August 11, 2013
I am in the vast minority when it comes to this book. I, like the author, am a mother of two kids on the autism spectrum who are both profoundly gifted. I was excited when this book arrived in the mail. One of the reasons I didn't care for this book is that it was too much about the mother and not enough about her son. I think reading a story that was just about Jake would had been captivating. It is very impressive what he has been able to accomplish in his young life and it is going to be impressive where he goes from her. I think that the author has some great ways of helping her son, but that doesn't mean they are the only ways and everyone else is wrong. This is what the author seems to want you to think. Jake was lucky that his mother ran a day care so that he was around kids all day long. For an autistic child, this could really help. But most parents of autistic children do not have that. Some of the things made me question her ability to parent, such as the time when she had no heat and no food for her family during a winter. There are certainly aspects to this book that I liked and wished were more fleshed out, or at least written separately: One: make the story all about Jake. Two: how the author's own health issues learned to adjust to her own struggles and how they affected her family. Three: having her focus just on the "therapies" she has tried (those she came up with herself) and go into detail about them. I think that the third would be invaluable! I guess the thing that bothered me is that I should be able to relate to her because our children seem to have similar diagnosis, but I didn't. As far as I know, children with autism cannot be "cured" of it. They can learn to adapt more socially and some really surprise us with what they can do! For me, my children aren't disabled, but being on the spectrum is just part of who they are. Will they struggle in life? Yes, but everyone has their struggle in life... some are just more obvious. **I received this book from Goodreads First Reads in exchange for a review. This did not affect my review in any way.**
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Chant-All the Alchemist Fairy Returning to the Source of All
by
Chantal Leduc
code7r
, July 28, 2013
“Chant-All: The Alchemist Fairy, Returning to the Source of All” is a new age self-help book from Chantal Leduc. Chantal Leduc allows the reader to read about her journey to self-discovery and how she found ways to improve her life. The book covers areas such as Faith, Spirituality, Communication, Realization, Inspiration, The Inner Couple, Triumph, Karma, Knowledge and more. Each chapter number is significant such as Chapter 7 (Triumph) which starts off letting the reader know that the author’s life path is 7. She explains the importance of the number and then talks about which Arcanum (deep secret wisdom) it is about. At the end of each chapter she asks the reader questions that will help him/her learn more about themselves. She also offers exercises to help the reader become more in tune with themselves. I enjoyed the book. Her questions at the end of the chapters are thought-provoking. The book is not religious, although she does talk about higher powers and quotes Jesus among other. I felt that the author sometimes became distracted and rambled. This book will not appeal to those that are not into new age. It asks the reader to believe in chakras and the tarot. For those that are already into that or are wanting to learn more about it, then this book will be enjoyable and possibly enlightening. **I received this book through GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This did not influence my review.**
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Chewing the Page: The Mourning Goats Interviews
by
Phil Jourdan
code7r
, July 28, 2013
“Chewing the Page: The Mourning Goats Interview” is an interesting look into the world of writers. It is a collection of interviews that were first posted on the website called Mourning Goats. As a person who always likes to look behind the scenes, I was drawn to this book. Some of the authors that were interviewed include Michael Kun, Stephen Elliott, and Chelsea Cain. The authors were asked such questions as “what do you think taught you the most in about writing, and why? Education? Experience? Writing?” and “what are your thoughts about basing characters on real people?” This book is great for aspiring writers. Writers who have been published seem to have this aura around them that they “made it.” But through these interviews, you find out that it was and still is a lot of hard work to write a good story. You also learn that just because you get a book published doesn’t mean you can quit your day job. I enjoyed reading the interviews and liked that compilation didn’t just include the serious side of writing and authors, but also included the private and oftentimes silly side. **I received this book through GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This did not influence my review.**
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The Distraction Addiction: Getting the Information You Need and the Communication You Want, Without Enraging Your Family, Annoying Your Colleague
by
Soojung-Kim Pang, Alex
code7r
, July 27, 2013
“The Distraction Addition” by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang is a book for our times. Mr. Pang recognizes how we are all becoming slaves to technology, with checking our email every few seconds, to “switch-tasking” which most people think is multi-tasking,” to forgetting how to just be with ourselves and with others. Throughout the book, Mr. Pang brings things to the reader’s attention that seem obvious but really isn’t until he points it out. One of these is watching how you breathe before, during and after checking your email. I did and was surprised that I held my breath a little when I was pulling my email up! Mr. Pang refers to this as email-apnea and compares it to sleep apnea and it cannot be good for you. I really like that Mr. Pang has antidotes about himself and his family sprinkled throughout the book to illustrate what the problem is and how he has tried dealing with it. He discusses studies that have been done to help support his various arguments. He has conversations with various people throughout the world (including monks!). This book isn’t really ground-breaking, but it is full of commonsense about how to handle taking care of ourselves and not letting technology take over our lives so much that we do not take care of our mental, physical and psychological health. I say it is commonsense, but oftentimes commonsense is elusive until someone points it out. Mr. Pang offers ideas on how to reduce our stresses that are brought on by being plugged-in all the time.
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Nick & Tesla 01 Nick & Teslas High Voltage Danger Lab A Novel with Electromagnets Burglar Alarms & Other Gadgets You Can Build Yourself
by
Bob Pflugfelder, Steve Hockensmith
code7r
, July 07, 2013
“Nick and Tesla’s High-Voltage Danger Lab” by “Science Bob” Pflugfelder and Steve Hockensmith is the first book in a brand new series aimed at ages 9-12. This book had me at the title. It revolves around twins, Nick and Tesla, and what happens when they are left with an eccentric uncle while their parents are sent away by the government to study soy beans. I think that kids will really like Nick and Tesla and how they come up with ideas and how they execute them. The great thing is that the book actually shows how they built their contraptions. The first one, with pictures and step by step instructions, is how to build a “Low-Tech (Practically No-Tech) Bottle Rocket and Launcher.” After reading this, I bet a lot of kids are going to be asking their parents PVC pipes, electrical tape and a 2 liter bottle of soda. That is what makes this book good… it is a fun read but it also has activities that will excite kids! It engages their minds and their bodies! This book doesn't have anything objectionable in it. The kids treat each other with respect. It shows how to work with others. All positives. This book is one that both parents and children will love! This book was received through Librarything.com Member Giveaway. This did not affect this review.
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Wall
by
Marlen Haushofer
code7r
, July 07, 2013
I am going to be in the minority when it comes to reviewing this book. After reading the reviews and the synopsis on the back of the book, I thought I was in a for an “I can’t put this down” kind of book. Instead I got a “Wow, is this book ever going to end” book. I love post-apocalyptic stories, which is why I was drawn to this one. Unfortunately what I got was a woman rambling one and one about the sameness of her life. In the story, the nameless character is somehow trapped in a rural area when an invisible wall comes down and cuts her off from humanity. She can see that the life outside the wall is dead and that the only life left in the world is in her little bubble… life that includes cats, a dog, a cow, a bull and the author. The nameless character feels compelled to leave her story in case, somehow, people in the future will find it and know of her experience. She is losing her sense of being an individual and writing is a kind of catharsis for that. As I read in another review, there is no action. There is no resolution. There is just rambling. I received this book through Librarything.com Member Giveaway. This did not affect my review.
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Shift: Innovation That Disrupts Markets, Topples Giants, and Makes You #1
by
Jagan Nemani
code7r
, July 07, 2013
“shift: Innovation That Disrupts Markets, Topples Giants, and Makes You #1” by Jagan Nemani is a book about how customer service can change an industry. Mr. Nemani covers the importance of customer service in many key areas: Customer-Focused Innovation, Business-Focused Innovation, and Pharmaceutical Industry Innovation. In each area, he highlights companies and breaks them down into why they failed or succeeded. He includes graphs that show how they did in key customer service areas: Price, Availability, Convenience, Service/Support, Quality, Fashion, Social Responsibility, Brand, and Requirements. Redbox, for example, scores “Best-in-Class” for Brand, Requirements, Price, Availability, Convenience; “Ordinary” in Service/Support and Quality; and “Subpar” in Fashion and Social Responsibility. What I liked about this book was how Mr. Nemani went into the history of the companies he highlights and why they succeeded and/or failed. For example, he talks about why Blockbuster was successful but ended up declaring bankruptcy eleven years after Netflix began. Netflix was basically born due to customer dissatisfaction with Blockbuster and a desire to offer basically the same services but better. Netflix focused on customer service and it looks as though they are going to stay around for a while as long as they keep on refining meeting the customer’s needs and giving even better service. This book is not a how-to on how to offer the best customer service. Each company is unique and has to find their own way of giving best customer service, where it can be in quality, quickness of shipment, or customer support who go out of their way. Mr. Nemani shows how to look at your own business and see where it needs improvements. It is definitely an interesting read and one that business owners and entrepreneurs should read. It is also good for the person who enjoys the history and the details of companies and why they succeeded and/or failed. This book was received due to Goodreads.com First Reads giveaway. This did not influence this review.
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Triathlon Science
by
Joe Friel, Jim Vance
code7r
, May 04, 2013
When I first opened up “Triathlon Science: The ultimate nexus of knowledge and performance” edited by Joe Friel and Jim Vance, I was overwhelmed. There is a lot of information in it and a lot of science. In Chapter 1, you learn about energy systems with the first sentence in this part being “The basic unit of energy within the human body is adenosine triphosphate (ATP)” along with a diagram of the molecular structure. I kept reading, and I am glad I did. This isn’t a book to be read in one sitting, but to be savored chapter by chapter. The book is broken down into 11 parts: Physical Attributes of Triathletes Technical Execution and Efficiency in Each Event Environmental Factors and Equipment Options Physiological Function in Triathlon Training Training Modes and Methods for Triathletes Training Strategies in Triathlon Training Base Building for Triathlon Multisport Event-Specific Training and Racing Tactics Sports Medicine for Triathletes Nutrition for Triathletes Psychology of Multisport This book includes charts and diagrams to help the reader understand the information better. It also includes in the back a comprehensive list of references broken down by chapter as to where they obtained their information. The index also helps the reader easily pages about specific information such as ligament injury treatments and barefoot running. This is the ultimate guide to triathlon science and is for the beginner to the experienced.
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Business from Bed: The 6-Step Comeback Plan to Get Yourself Working Again After a Health Crisis
by
Joan Friedlander
code7r
, April 27, 2013
“Business from Bed: The 6-Step Comeback Plan to Get Yourself Working Again After a Health Crisis” by Joan Friedlander sounds as though it will only help those who are recovering from a debilitating disease or other health crisis. It is, but it is also for anyone who wants to make their life better by adopting a new way of thinking about how they are doing business. The author has Chrohn’s Disease that took a real toll on her life, personal and business, for 13 years. She discovered that she couldn’t continue working the way she had been because, although her mind screamed yes, her body screamed no and her body usually won the argument. The author had to learn how to listen to her body and find a way to work in conjunction with what her body needed. Thus, “Business from Bed” was written as the author, along with examples and stories of other people, tells how she coped and then thrived. Her six steps are descriptive of her process: 1. Beyond Survival, Rising from the Ashes. This step helps the reader learn how to separate themselves from their illness and how not to be defined by it. 2. Embrace the New Normal. This section gets back to what makes you happy. By finding out what work makes you happy, the healthier you will be. 3. Back to Business Under “New Management.” Here you reflect on your past choices and why you made those choices. It also covers revenue models for employers and employees. 4. Recruit and Request �" Ask for Help. This is probably the hardest chapter for most people. When you are ill, you have to ask other for help. Most people, myself included, don’t ask for help because we don’t want to admit we need it or we don’t want to be a burden to others. The author delves into why that is foolishness and why asking for help is important. 5. Slow Down, Don’t Move Too Fast. Although you may feel that you are raring to go back to work, you shouldn’t jump in with the same energy level you had before your health crisis. The author talks about the roles adrenaline and stress play. 6. Build Capacity, Organize for Success. This chapter really applies to everyone. Here the author takes about finding your strengths and playing to them. Structuring your day to get the most out of it without taxing your health. At the end of the book the author lists a lot of different resources that are complements to the six steps. It includes books on various topics, internet-based community networks, blogs and websites, outsourcing, productivity software, and “low” tech equipment and ergonomic assistance. It is a well-researched and extensive section of the book. Joan Friedlander really makes the reader reexamine their lives and offers steps on how to get back to it when you are dealing with a health crisis. It is chock-full of information and would be a boon to anyone who is recovering from illness to help them feel that things can get back to good.
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Resurrectionist The Lost Work & Writings of Dr Spencer Black
by
E B Hudspeth
code7r
, April 26, 2013
I wish that I could give different ratings to this book as it is really two books in one. “The Resurrectionist” by E.B. Hudspeth contains a story set in the mid to late 1800s about a doctor named Spencer Blank. His story is told through narrative, letters, and diary excerpts. When Spencer Black was a child, both he and his brother would help his father steal corpses from their graves. Their father was a renowned surgeon who would use the corpses to further his research. Spencer Black followed in his footsteps to become a renowned doctor in his own right. Dr. Black becomes obsessed with deformities, which becomes his downfall as this obsession takes over his life and ends up turning him into a mad scientist. This story is not for children. It is rather disturbing (especially with Dr. Black’s wife and the poor beagle) and may give a person some sleepless nights. The story is a fairly quick read as it is only 65 pages long. I am not a fan in general of horror stories, but those who are would probably like to see this as a full novel. I did like the way that the story took place, through narrative, letters and diary entries. It gave it an authentic feel. All in all, I would give this section three stars. The second half of the book I loved. It is illustrations that are supposedly drawn by Dr. Black. Dr. Black through his madness feels that mythological creatures did exist and he gives us detailed anatomical illustrations of such creatures as the sphinx, minotaur, chimaera, and Pegasus to name a few. Just an example of how detailed the illustrations are, let us take a look at Sphinx Alatus. Dr. Black includes the kingdom (Animalia), Phylum (Vertebrata), Class (Echidnae), Order (Praesidium), Family (Felidae), Genuis (Sphinx), and Species (Sphinx altus). There are a couple of paragraphs dedicated to the history of the sphinx. Then we get to the drawings. There are seven pages where we can see and learn every bone in the sphinx and the musculature. We see the sphinx from the front, back and sides. Each bone and each muscle are labeled. I almost feel as though this creature was real! The drawings are excellent and no detail is left uncovered. This half of the book could have been a stand alone. This section I give five stars. So, between the first and the second half, I will give it four stars all together. If you are a fan of disturbing stories, then you will love this book. If you are a fan of detailed anatomical drawings, then you will love this book. I do feel that the first part could have been more fleshed out, but it was a nice setup to the second half of the book. This book is not for everyone, but I am glad that I gave it a try. It is appropriate for teenagers and up, although the drawings would probably appeal to children.
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Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
by
Matthew Dicks
code7r
, January 04, 2013
I have already left a review on this book but wanted to submit it as my favorite for 2012. Having a child on the autism spectrum, I really liked that one of the main characters was also on the spectrum. I've never had an imaginary friend, but after reading this book, I really wished I did! Excellent book!
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Using the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics with Gifted and Advanced Learners
by
National Assoc for Gifted Children and Linda J. Sheffield
code7r
, December 09, 2012
“Using the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics With Gifted and Advanced Learners” has six contributing authors and is edited by Susan K. Johnsen, Ph.D. and Linda J. Sheffield, Ph.D. The audience for this book is teachers and administrators who work with gifted and advanced children. Its hope is to help the people who work with these kids to implement the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that will affect grades K-12. The purpose of the CCSS is that it is to help with curriculum that will help students develop the skills and learn the concepts that will be required is they are going to be able to function and compete in the 21st century. This book would most likely not hold the attention of people who are not in education, but for those who are, this book would grab their attention. It begins with explaining what CCSS is and how it will affect gifted and advanced students. But it does just “tell” the reader, it also provides great sample activities that the teacher could use to enhance her curriculum. An example of this can be found on page 22 where the page starts off with: Subject: Math Learning Progressions: Patterns. Followed by: Domains: Operations and Algebraic Thinking (3rd & 5th); Functions (8th & High School). Then concrete examples are broken down for 3rd, 5th, 8th, and high school grades. Also included is a possible timeline for implementing the CCSS locally. It is broken down into three columns: Task, Person(s) Responsible, and When. In the first row, the Task is: Know and understand the CCSS for Mathematics. Under Person(s) Responsible: All school personnel. Under When: August-September. This goes on until you get to July and have to start over. There are also resources to help implement CCSS. This book is an excellent resource for teachers and administrators who work with gifted and advanced learners. With the sample activities, timelines, resources and more, the teacher/administrator will feel more confident that they are teaching these children to excel in the 21st century. :::This book was received through LibraryThings Early Reviewers. It did not affect my honest opinion of this book:::
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Cartoon Guide to Chemistry
by
Larry Gonick
code7r
, December 08, 2012
I love all of Larry Gonick's "Cartoon Guides..." My kids read his books over and over and the information really sticks in their brains. Often I have heard one of them say that they only remembered an answer on a test because of what they read in one of the "Cartoon Guides." I wish that these books were a part of the curriculum in their school system.
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Quantum Coin
by
E C Myers
code7r
, December 08, 2012
I was so excited to see that the sequel to "Fair Coin" came out... but then I read it. "Fair Coin" was fast paced and really kept me involved. I don't really know what happened to "Quantum Coin." I didn't like a single character in it. I didn't particularly like the plot. Given that, I did find the writing to be solid and it was action packed. Although I wasn't fond of the sequel, it won't keep me from reading further works by this author.
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One Breath Away
by
Heather Gudenkauf
code7r
, December 02, 2012
"One Breath Away" by Heather Gudenkauf is about a gunman who enters an elementary school in a small town and holds the kids hostage. The story is narrated through the teacher in the classroom, Evelyn Oliver, the cop whose daughter goes to that school, Meg, the grandfather who recently put his two kids in the school, and his 13 year old granddaughter. On top of it all, they are unable to get outside help due to a snowstorm. I liked the story. It was interesting to see how people were reacting to the situation: the teacher who wants to protect her students at any cost, the cop whose daughter would have been in that classroom if she hadn't decided to let her go see her dad a day early, the grandfather who promised to protect his grandchildren while their mother is recovering from a serious accident, and the 13 year old who has an attitude but is willing to do what is needed to protect her younger brother.
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Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend
by
Matthew Dicks
code7r
, December 02, 2012
"Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend" by Matthew Dicks gives us the inside scoop from the perspective of an imaginary friend. Budo is Max's imaginary friend and he is different from other imaginary friends because he has been around for more than 5 years. Although not stated in the book, Max appears to be on the autism spectrum. Budo is his only friend. This book isn't only about Max, though. Budo takes into the realm of imaginary friends (and how they are real!) and we get to meet several throughout the book. Mr. Dicks does through some excitement and tension throughout the book, especially with a teacher who is planning something devious for Max. I really liked this book. It held my attention from start to finish. Budo is an excellent spokesperson for imaginary people. I also like that Max is on the autism spectrum, so we get a peak inside his world too.
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Slow Apocalypse
by
John Varley
code7r
, November 04, 2012
I must agree with other reviewers. This book started off interesting, but it didn't take too long to get annoyed at the specific details regarding the geography of LA. Although you do need some knowledge about the areas where the story takes place, this author went into so much geographical detail that it really detracted from the story. I also didn't particularly find any of the main characters to be sympathetic. I wanted to root for someone and I think that I ended up rooting for Ranger the horse the most. It is a good premise and I did like the author's take on what would happen if the world's oil supply was suddenly volatile and unusable.
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Craving
by
Meister, Kristina
code7r
, October 13, 2012
“Craving” by Kristina Meister captured my interest with the blurb on the back and the image on the cover. I was drawn into the book easily when I began it… but about half-way through I found myself losing focus and wanting to skip ahead. The main character of this book, Lilith Pierce, was a sympathetic character when she finds out that her younger sister committed suicide and Lilith flies out to where her younger sister lived to clean out her apartment and take care of her affairs. When she gets there, she finds that she didn’t know her sister at all and that she (Lilith) was mostly responsible for the rift that happened between them. Lilith, convinced it wasn’t a suicide, goes on to meet a whole cast of characters in order to prove that her sister was murdered. When Lilith starts “changing” I feel that she became less interesting and more annoying. I liked the other characters surrounding her, though. This book takes the reader on a twisty-turvey ride while tasking the reader to question meaning of life. I enjoyed the philosophical theme, but sometimes felt a little lost in it. Although I am only giving the book three stars, I encourage the reader to give it a chance.
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Purr Fect Recipes for a Healthy Cat 101 Natural Cat Food & Treat Recipes to Make Your Cat Happy
by
Lisa Shiroff
code7r
, October 13, 2012
“Purr-fect Recipes for a Healthy Cat: 101 Natural Cat Food & Treat Recipes to Make Your Cat Happy” by Lisa Shiroff does, in fact, have recipes… unfortunately you have to get through 197 pages before you get to them. I was really surprised that there would be so much before the actual recipes and would suggest changing the title to reflect that. The book takes us through what a healthy cat looks like, from weight, to ears, eyes, teeth, hair and skin to a breakdown of what should be in their diet (protein, fat and carbohydrates). This is all in the first chapter. Listed also in Chapter one is foods that cats need to avoid and, I feel more importantly, plants that could be toxic to cats. The author then proceeds to inform the reader about commercial and natural food industries. Here I would have liked to see a breakdown comparison between the more popular cat foods brands such as Friskies, Iams, etc. This book does have a lot of useful information for new cat owners, but for experienced cat owners it is probably a lot of stuff they already know. I was also confused where in the list of foods to avoid giving your cat, liver was listed as it may cause vitamin A toxicity if given in large enough amounts (although the author does also state that small amounts can be fine). She then has several recipes that incorporate liver, such as “Beef Liver Bites” that calls for 1 pound of beef liver, and “Chicken Liver Surprises” which calls for 1 pound of chicken livers. After reading it on the “do not feed” list, I would be quite hesitate to make any recipes that call for liver. The author also lists recipes that incorporate rabbit, duck legs and venison. Not items you would probably find in your neighborhood grocery store. Although I will probably make the occasional treat from this book, I don’t think I would change my cat’s diet because of it. As I stated above, it does have a lot of useful information, but I wanted more of a “cookbook” then an anatomy lesson.
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Amy Plays the Violin
by
Julie Labossiere
code7r
, October 06, 2012
“Amy Plays the Violin” is a delightful book that was written by Julie Labossiere and illustrated by Dwayne Brown. It is a simple story about a young girl who is nervous about her first violin recital. Her brother tries to help her out by telling her she could play the drums, but Amy tries out his set of drums and decides that it probably isn’t for her. She then goes to her sister for help, and her sister lets Amy try and play the piano but Amy realizes that she can play the violin better. This book addresses the common symptom of being really nervous before a first recital. What I really liked about it was the relationship between Amy and her siblings. Instead of mocking or making fun of Amy, her brother and sister are very supportive and understanding and do their best to help her out. This is a good book for any child who is starting to learn an instrument. It stresses that the best way to combat the nervousness of a recital is to practice, practice, practice but does it in a way that isn’t preachy. Along with being a cute story, this book also comes with adorable illustrations.
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Twice Shy
by
Patrick Freivald
code7r
, September 09, 2012
Okay, I have to admit that every time I look at the title of the book “Twice Shy” by Patrick Freivald, the song “One Bitten Twice Shy” by Great White runs around my head on a continuous loop. That is about the only really negative thing about this book. “Twice Shy” tied for first place in the JournalStone writing contest and I can see why. The story centers on a 16 year old girl, Ani, who became a zombie when she was 14, which is really bad because the government’s answer to those infected is to blow their heads off… no questions asked. Ani’s mother figures out a way to “hide” her condition while secretly working on trying to find a cure. Her friends see her as a bubbly, athletic girl one day, and a sulking emo the next. It kills Ani to have to hide her true self behind the emo façade and we see throughout the book her constant struggle of having to lie to everyone she knows so that they won’t find out she is a zombie. I don’t like zombie stories in general (except for Mira Grant’s “The Newsflesh Trilogy”) and so I opened this book with some trepidation. Soon I found myself involved in the story and rooting for Ani. The author gives a new twist to the zombie saga and it is refreshing. Teenagers can definitely relate to Ani and what she goes through. Although she the main struggle of being a zombie, she also is a typical teenager who wants the cute, popular boy, who doesn’t want to be bullied, and is confused about her feelings. Also, I wasn’t expecting the ending! Kudos to the author for keeping me on my toes from the beginning all the way to the very last word. **** I received this book through LibraryThing.com Member's Giveaway. It in no way affected the content of my review. *****
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Riser
by
Becca C. Smith
code7r
, September 07, 2012
“Riser” had me from the moment I saw the cover. It is the first novel in a saga by Becca C. Smith about a 18 year old girl who is a senior in high school who has the ability to connect with things that are dead (including humans and plants) and control them. The story takes place in the year 2320. Life for an 18 year old in 2320 isn’t much different than present day. Chelsan Deree lives on the wrong side of the tracks but goes to an elite private school on scholarship where she is treated with distain and is a target from a bully named Jill. Chelsan’s mother married a man who is physically abusive and Chelsan as a child sees this abuse. It isn’t until the events take place in 2320 that she understands why her mother married and stayed with this man. One big difference between then and now is the introduction of Age-pro, which stops aging at the age you start taking it. This leads to its own problems such as over-population. Age-pro is its own character in this story. I feel that this book would be enjoyed by tweens, teenagers and young adults. The author has definitely put a new spin on having a power to “resurrect” dead things and shows us through Chelsan how it can be both a huge burden to be different but how sometimes our negatives turn out to be just what we needed in certain situations. At the focus of the story is when Chelsan’s mother is murdered and Chelsan is then thrown into a fast moving, ever changing world where she tries to find out who the murderer is, learns who her true friends are, and sees how people can surprise you when you least expect it. It is a good story without a dull moment. I look forward to reading the next book in this series.
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The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Sandy Baker
code7r
, August 19, 2012
In the Back to Basics Series (Growing), they have “The Complete Guide to Organic Lawn Care: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” by Sandy Baker. I am terrible at properly taking care of my lawn, so I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. The author covers begins with going over the problems with traditional lawn care and the benefit of organic lawn care. One of the reasons I want an organic lawn is because of the toxic chemicals that most people use on their lawns and the signs that are put up that children and pets need to stay off the lawn for a certain amount of time. That seems crazy to me that you would put chemicals down that would be very harmful to people and animals. The author also states that traditional lawns have grass blades that are weaker and are more susceptible to disease. Her reasons for going organic include it being safe for people, animals and the environment and it actually is less expensive than traditional lawn care to take care of. The author encourages you to take a sample of your soil in to be tested. I did this (it is really easy, just bring it to your local cooperative extension where they will usually test it for free. You can find your local extension by going to www.csrees.usda.gov / Extension). Once you know what you soil needs, then you are ready to begin the transition to organic lawn care. This book covers a lot of information and I know that I will be going back to it a lot during the year to make sure that I am doing what is needed.
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The Complete Guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Shepherd, Lizz
code7r
, August 13, 2012
As a newbie to gardening, I was eager to read about the different ways to grow vegetables, fruits and herbs. One way is to use containers to grow in instead of planting directly in the ground. Back to Basics Growing Series by Atlantic Publishing Group has a book in their series that covers this area. “The Complete guide to Growing Vegetables, Flowers, Fruits, and Herbs from Containers: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply” by Lizz Shepherd is dedicated to answering my questions about container gardening. As the author states in her introduction, “Before growing a new plant, reference this book to find the needed supplies and required growing conditions.” As with many of the Back to Basic books, this one also covers the “why” of the subject matter; thus, why should/would you garden in containers. Interspersed throughout the book is one of my favorite things, the case studies from individuals about their experiences in container gardening. Certain plants will grow in certain areas of the United States. To find out what will grow well in your area, the author directs the reader to check out the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and also includes a copy of this map in the appendix. She explains why some plants will do well in containers while others are not particularly suited to it. Included are plants that require little maintenance, which is good for me since I am new to this. Along with the name of the plant (e.g. Surecrop strawberry), she also includes a description of the plant and a picture. For those who are more advanced, or perhaps more adventurous, there is also a section dedicated to plants that require a lot of maintenance, such as pumpkins. I also learned that there is no particular “correct” container to garden from. You can use the traditional pots that you can find in your local garden center, or you can use an old shoe or empty margarine tub… you are only limited by your imagination. The author covers many areas such as tools, how to prepare your soil and what is the correct soil to use, and, as the title states, growing herbs, fruits, vegetables and flowers in containers. The book is broken down to be used easily as a reference guide when deciding what to plant, where to plant, what to plant in and more. It is not overwhelming and easy to understand and would be useful to the new gardener as well as a seasoned gardener.
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How to Build Maintain & Use a Compost System Secrets & Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables
by
Kelly Smith
code7r
, August 13, 2012
The Back to Basics Growing series is published by Atlantic Publishing Group. One of the titles in this series is “How to Build, Maintain and Use a Compost System: Secrets and Techniques You Need to Know to Grow the Best Vegetables” and it is written by Kelly Smith. Ms. Smith’s previous books have dealt with quilting, so I was intrigued on how much knowledge she would impart on composting, which is nothing like quilting. She definitely showed that she does know a thing or two about composting! She starts off by explaining what composting is and why people do it. In Chapter 1 she includes some “Common Myths About Composting,” such as: composting is difficult, it smells bad, isn’t for people who live in a city, you can use any type of worm if vermicomposting, etc., and then proceeds to debunk these myths. She moves on to discuss the different types of composting. Who knew there were so many?! There are compost bins, holes, trenches, cone digester systems, rotating barrels, stationary bins and indoor systems. Going into detail about each type, it makes it easier for the person who is new to composting to figure out which type would work best for them. She even includes a table that shows at a glance what type of system works in what type of living situation (e.g. rural, suburban, city, condo, and apartment). She also details about what can and cannot be composted and what type of substances can be added to help the composting process. As with the other Back to Basic books, this book also includes many case studies throughout where individuals share their stories about composting. I like the personal touch that the case studies add. In Chapter 4, there are instructions on how to make your own composting bins. These can be made out of many things: cardboard box, chicken wire, trash cans, trenches, concrete blocks, and more. There are instructions for those with experience in building on how to build a tumbling barrel composter which is covered in about 14 pages including pictures and diagrams. Building a composting system doesn’t have to cost much and is much more economical then purchasing one. The author covers how to use compost and about vermicomposting, which is composting using worms. In the back she includes the web address for each state’s Cooperative Extension System (these sites include agricultural information specific to your state) and information about companies who sell composters. Ms. Smith definitely has done her research and this book is a good one to keep on hand when deciding to compost. With it, the reader can make a determination of what type of composting would work best for them and cost effective ways to start and maintain a composting system.
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Gifted Program Evaluation A Handbook for Administrators & Coordinators
by
Kristie Speirs Neumeister, Virginia Burney
code7r
, August 13, 2012
“Gifted Program Evaluation: A Handbook for Administrators & Coordinators” by Kristie Speirs Neumeister, Ph.D., and Virginia H. Burney, Ph.D., is exactly what the title describes. It is copublished with the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC.org). It is a must have for any school or district that is going to implement a gifted program or wants to revamp their gifted program so that it can reach and help as many gifted children as possible. Many people feel that gifted children shouldn’t have extra resources allocated them, that they don’t need help in school because they are smart, that teachers will challenge them appropriately in mainstream classes, or that we shouldn’t make other children feel bad about themselves since they aren’t gifted, thus we shouldn’t have a gifted program (or that a gifted program is elitist). All the above are myths that only go on to hurt children who need extra resources, challenges, teachers that are trained in gifted teaching, etc. This book is designed for people who are in the educational system already (administrators, teachers) who are working with gifted children or who will be working with gifted children. The first half of the book is dedicated to setting up or evaluating gifted program in their school/district. It begins with “Conducting an Internal Evaluation” and details how to set up a committee, what the scope of the committee will be, and the structure of the committee. Included is a sample timeline with that date a task should be done, what specific task that is, and who the person responsible for completing the task should be. Then it moves on to “Program Design.” In this section it breaks down into a description of services and the roles/responsibilities of all those involved. It stresses the importance of clear communication between all individuals. Included are the specific responsibilities of the administrator and the classroom teacher. One of the things that I really liked about this book is how they include sample survey items for evaluating program design and also sample structured interview prompts/questions related to program design that allow opened ended answers from those it is given to. Sample surveys and sample structured interviews are given throughout the book to help administrators and teachers get detailed information for those in the educational system about areas in the gifted program that are working and what areas need improvement in. Chapter 3 takes us into “The Identification Process” and chapter 4 then proceeds into “Curriculum and Instruction.” This book breaks down, chapter by chapter, the whole process from start to end, including how to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and if you may even need to get someone from outside the program to come in and review it. The second part of the book includes eleven appendixes that give samples of the “Student Survey,” “Teacher Survey,” “Parent Survey,” “All Teachers” survey, sample cover letter or e-mail for parents who are asked to participate in the survey, a list of structured interview questions, checklist for program elements, data collection, and more. It is clear and easy to follow and makes it easier for all those participating since everything is broken down and samples of surveys and questions are included. This book is a must have for those who affect the gifted program in any way. It is a great resource to help teachers and administers determine if their program is up to par and what to do if it isn’t. Although not geared towards parents, they too can benefit from this book and learning what questions to ask about the gifted program in their child’s school.
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Ender's Game: Ender Wiggin Saga 1
by
Orson Scott Card
code7r
, August 04, 2012
My favorite book! Ender is an endearing character that you root for. The supporting cast of characters make you want to keep reading until the end!
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Too Much Magic: Pulling the Plug on the Cult of Tech
by
Benlevi, Jason
code7r
, July 09, 2012
“Too Much Magic: Pulling the Plug on the Cult of Tech” by Jason Benlevi was written to warn us about the loss of privacy we citizens are losing every day. The sky is falling isn’t coming from someone who is paranoid about technology and has actively kept it out of their lives. It is actually coming from someone who worked on developing market campaigns for Java, Sony PlayStation, Windows XP, and Apple. Mr. Benlevi brings us his insights as someone who has been hooked on technology from childhood and has also been an insider to the technology of today. Mr. Benlevi does warn us about the addiction of video games and the threat of virtual reality, as well as the desensitization of kids to violence due to violent video games which are so prevalent in the video game market. A lot of his concerns were preaching to the choir for me, but are a good reminder that technology can be used in good ways, but it can also (and more often) is used in ways that are not so beneficial. He discusses the concern about us losing the ability to socialize, either because we have ear buds in on a subway and miss out on an opportunity to talk to people we encounter or being fixated on checking our email on our phone that we don’t notice what is happening around us. I do agree with some of this, but I have also seen how having a DS handheld game has helped my child actually meet other kids who are interested in what she is doing. Without it, she would be too shy to interact. Yes, it can keep us from socializing, but it can also help in breaking the ice and talking to someone who has the same interest. The part of the book I found the most interesting was Section Three. Here the author talks about why corporations have figured out ways to have access to your privacy while stripping away your rights to your own privacy. He goes into the DCMA that introduced laws that gave media companies the right to tell you that even though you purchased that dvd, you are not allowed to act like you own it and do with it what you will. He brings attention to this with the example of Jamie Thomas-Rasset of Minnesota who was fined $1,920,000 for sharing 24 songs. Corporations are constantly compiling information on you but you, the average person, aren’t even allowed to know what they have collected. GPS in our phones now make it so that you can always be located. Mr. Benlevi does show a frightening picture of our future if we keep allowing corporations to rule over us. This book is chock-full of information from the beginning of digital technology to what the possible future of it could be. It is worthwhile to read so that perhaps, together, we can get back some our basic rights and have control over our lives, our information, and our privacy.
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Too Much Magic: Pulling the Plug on the Cult of Tech
by
Benlevi, Jason
code7r
, July 05, 2012
“Too Much Magic: Pulling the Plug on the Cult of Tech” by Jason Ben Levi was written to warn us about the loss of privacy we citizens are losing every day. The sky is falling isn’t coming from someone who is paranoid about technology and has actively kept it out of their lives. It is actually coming from someone who worked on developing Java, Sony PlayStation, Windows XP, and Apple applications. Mr. Levi brings us his insights as someone who has been hooked on technology from childhood and has also been an insider to the technology of today. Mr. Levi does warn us about the addiction of video games and the threat of virtual reality, as well as the desensitization of kids to violence due to violent video games which are so prevalent in the video game market. A lot of his concerns were preaching to the choir for me, but are a good reminder that technology can be used in good ways, but it can also (and more often) is used in ways that are not so beneficial. He discusses the concern about us losing the ability to socialize, either because we have ear buds in on a subway and miss out on an opportunity to talk to people we encounter or being fixated on checking our email on our phone that we don’t notice what is happening around us. I do agree with some of this, but I have also seen how having a DS handheld game has helped my child actually meet other kids who are interested in what she is doing. Without it, she would be too shy to interact. Yes, it can keep us from socializing, but it can also help in breaking the ice and talking to someone who has the same interest. The part of the book I found the most interesting was Section Three. Here the author talks about why corporations have figured out ways to have access to your privacy while stripping away your rights to your own privacy. He goes into the DCMA that introduced laws that gave media companies the right to tell you that even though you purchased that dvd, you are not allowed to act like you own it and do with it what you will. He brings attention to this with the example of Jamie Thomas-Rasset of Minnesota who was fined $1,920,000 for sharing 24 songs. Corporations are constantly compiling information on you but you, the average person, aren’t even allowed to know what they have collected. GPS in our phones now make it so that you can always be located. Mr. Levi does show a frightening picture of our future if we keep allowing corporations to rule over us. This book is chock full of information from the beginning of digital technology to what the possible future of it could be. It is worthwhile to read so that perhaps, together, we can get back some our basic rights and have control over our lives, our information, our privacy.
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Partials 01 Partials
by
Dan Wells
code7r
, June 15, 2012
In "Partials" by Dan Wells, the human population is greatly reduced due to a war with engineered organic beings that attack the human race by releasing a virus known as RM. A fraction of the human population is immune, but are unable to protect newborns from the virus as the immunity is not passed on genetically. Newborns typically die within the first three days of life. The story centers on Kira, who is a 16 year old girl who is trained as a medic in the survivors camp in East Meadow, New York. Her best friend becomes pregnant and Kira is determined to find a cure for RM so that her baby will survive. This means that she needs to find a Parital (the name for the genetically engineered beings who released the RM virus) so that she can find out how to synthesize a cure for newborns. I liked this book and found it engaging up until Kira and her friends set off to find the Partials. Then it sort of lost me because everything became too coincidental. But it does not lose me enough where I will not read any sequels.
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Redshirts
by
John Scalzi
code7r
, June 15, 2012
"Redshirts" by John Scalzi is a fun read, especially for those who enjoy science fiction shows like Star Trek, Bablyon 5 or Stargate. The story is about the crew on board the Universal Union Capital Ship Intrepid. The main character, Ensign Andrew Dahl, notices fairly quickly that things are a little strange when he gets reassigned to the Intrepid. The upper command keeps going on weird away missions where at least one crew member tends to get killed. This crew member usually being a redshirt, which refers to the original Star Trek series where an unknown crew member, in a red shirt, is usually offed off in the beginning of an episode. This is a fun read that pokes fun at bad science fiction shows. It is quick paced and keeps the reader engaged. I recommend it to all those science fiction fans who enjoy a little cheesiness with their stories.
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Dismal Thoughts
by
C. Amethyst Frost
code7r
, June 10, 2012
Upon receiving “Dismal Thoughts” by C. Amethyst Frost, I wasn’t sure what I was in for. I checked out the author’s web page and wondered, again, what I was in for when she states on her blog “I’m a writer. Don’t piss me off or I will write you into one of my books and kill you. Or I might use my journalist’s pen to change your whole life’s profile. Even worse, I have technical writing skills. So I can bore you to death.” I think being written into someone’s book and being killed off would be really neat but am I willing to trash her book to get there? Alas, I read the book and sighed because once I finished I knew that I would not be killed off in the author’s next book. “Dismal Thoughts” is a story about a young girl (tween/teen??) who is determined to be declared clinically depressed but is having a hard time convincing her parents and other adults that she needs to be taken to a psychiatrist so that she can finally get this diagnosis. This story reminds me a lot of another series that I really love, “Emily the Strange”. I like stories that are a little on the morbid side but that have a sense of humor. “Dismal Thoughts” is that type of story. Ms. Frost has a fun way with words and I love her descriptions in the book such as “The sky is the color of white underwear accidentally washed with dark clothes”. This book will appeal mostly to girls who are tween/teen who can identify with the main character, Dolores Olivia Tribble (aka Dot). I also really liked Pubert and Molly. I won’t spoil who they are, but they are really fun! My only issue was I couldn’t really figure out how old the main character was. In a lot of ways she was like a teenager in the ways that she was trying to figure out how to get others to notice she is depressed (loved the lists!). But in other ways she seemed rather young (such as having playdates and not knowing what a pediatrician is). Ms. Frost caught me when I saw the cover of the book and the warning not to read unless you are clinically depressed. I think that Dot is an adorable character who lends herself to more books, possibly a series? As I stated above, my only real qualm was trying to figure out Dot’s age. But that is a very minor qualm. I recommend this book for any tween/teen girl who is trying to figure out her place in this world. This book has a lot of humor and I think that girls will really identify with some of the issues that Dot is facing.
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Arkeepers: Episode One: Keepers
by
W. J. Madsen
code7r
, June 04, 2012
“Arkeepers: Episode One” by W. J. Madsen is the first book in the “Keepers” series. It is a fun romp where we follow the exploits of a brother and sister, Jake and Alexa, as they disappear into the magnifying glass. Jake is 11 years old and his sister, Alexa, is 8 years old. Along in their adventures is their cantankerous cat, Rex, who is able to talk when he goes through the magnifying glass. Their grandfather, who is a Keeper of the Universe (which the kids do not know about), disappears and leaves only his magnifying glass behind. When Jake turns 11, his grandmother gives him the magnifying glass but doesn’t tell him what it can do. Imagine his and Alexa’s surprise when a voice greets them from the magnifying glass telling them that they have to come quickly because Time has been stolen. Thus Jake becomes Inspector Moustachio and he and his sister (and Rex) set out to find solve this mystery. This is a fun read for kids age 8 or 9 and up. They will probably like the interaction between Jake and Alexa and will probably get some giggles out of Rex. My main problem in the book is the meanness of Rex. For example, he says “I haven’t had that much fun since I put crazy glue on that dumb dog’s bone next door. It took them forever to rip that thing from his mouth. Graham ��" what a moron!” Also, the character of Mrs. Smythe is constantly “screetching” and calling names such as “idiot, hag, etc.” as well as trying to physically hurt everyone else. This really detracted from the enjoyment of the story of the kids trying to solve a crime. I liked this story overall. I think that Jake and Alexa would be fun to run around with and trying to solve mysteries. I am hopeful that the next book will not have Mrs. Smythe. The author does leave the reader with wanting more and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
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Fair Coin
by
E C Myers
code7r
, June 02, 2012
“Fair Coin” by E.C. Myers tells the story of a teenage boy, Ephraim, who comes home from school one day to find his alcoholic mother clumped over the table with a pill bottle in her hand. Ephraim gets her to the hospital in time to save her life but is baffled when she says that he was dead. She had received news and proof (in the form of a library card) that Ephraim was struck by a bus and died. This is the first sign that Ephraim’s life is about to get crazy. The second is when he picks up the victim’s plastic bag of belongings at the hospital and goes through it and finds an unusual coin. The coin seems to grant wishes. But as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for. This was a steady read where I was trying to figure out if it was magic, inter-dimensional travel or what. I liked the main character, Ephraim, and how he has to deal with difficult decisions. And with each decision, it brings a chain of reactions that ripple out. You never know how if you change one thing it can affect other things (i.e. the butterfly effect). I did feel like the book was a little rushed at the end and wish that it could have been a little longer. I also would have liked to see more of these alternate worlds that Ephraim ends up in. Perhaps that is for another book. Overall it was a good read that kept you guessing throughout.
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(3 of 3 readers found this comment helpful)
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Discount Armageddon InCryptid 1
by
Seanan Mcguire
code7r
, June 02, 2012
“Discount Armageddon” by Seanan McGuire is the first in her Incryptid series. This is my first time reading a book by Seanan McGuire. I thought it was a fun read. The cover of it draws you in, as well as the title. Verity Price is a member of the “traitorous” Price family who dared leave the Covenant a few generations ago. The Covenant is a society where their main goal is to kill cryptids (non-humans). The Prices left this society when they realized that many types of cryptids were sentient and not a danger to humans and shouldn’t be needlessly murdered. So we pick up with Verity Price, a young adult, living alone in NYC trying to protect cryptids… but that isn’t the main reason she lives there. She actually wants to be a ballroom dancer and has the ability to hone her dancing skills and compete in NYC. Many call her a Buffy rip-off. I can see why: blonde hair, young, snappy comebacks and full of attitude. But Verity does have her own personality. Her fascination with dancing is fun, especially when some of the moves come handy in a fight. She has a good heart and is willing to go the distance for people/cryptids who need it, even if she doesn’t like them. I didn’t care for the love connection with Dominic and felt it was a little rushed. I also was taken aback by the mice in the beginning, but they really grew on me throughout the book and I enjoyed their festivals and rituals. Overall a fun book to read and it makes me want to read more by Seanan McGuire!
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Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Fruits & Berries A Complete Step By Step Guide
by
Karen Szklany Gault
code7r
, June 01, 2012
“The Complete Guide to Growing Your Own Fruits and Berries” by Karen Szklany Gault is for those who want to add some edible landscaping to their home. Ms. Gault starts off the book by breaking down geographical regions (Pacific Ocean, Mountains, Southwest, Plains, South Central, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes and New England) and discusses the climate and what types of fruits/berries each region can support. On page 50 she has a guide for planting and harvest seasons where she lists a fruit or berry and next to it when the best time to plant and the best time to harvest are. Ms. Gault also goes in depth on soil conditions and when/how you may need to enrich your current soil. There is also a section about what basic gardening tools you will need. This is a good section that you should carry with you when you go to your gardening store so that you will get what you need. Once you have your tools, then you can go to the chapter about cultivating and planting. The author describes what you need to do to prepare the ground, watering, and other things that will help you have a successful crop. Ms. Gault does a fine job of introducing how to grown fruits and berries. She gives the reader enough information to feel confident about their choices and how successful they will be. I do wish that she had included colored pictures such as the ones in Back to Basics “The Complete Guide to Growing Healing and Medicinal Herbs”. But that is a minor disappointment compared to the rest of the material in the book.
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The Complete Guide to Growing Healing and Medicinal Herbs: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply (Back-To-Basics)
by
Wendy M. Vincent
code7r
, June 01, 2012
“The Complete Guide to Growing Healing and Medicinal Herbs” by Wendy Vincent is a book in a series called “Back to Basics” by Atlantic Publishing Group. The book starts out with answering questions such as what an herb is to how to use herbs to treat common ailments. Ms. Vincent then goes into detail about determining where to plant your garden based on what zone you live in and the contents of the soil. She briefly touches on the different types of gardens such as container gardening, raised beds, or gardens that you put directly into the ground. Then comes my favorite part where she lists and gives details about different herbs. Each herb includes a description, when to plant, sun and soil, when to harvest, parts used and medicinal benefits. She includes eight pages of beautiful photographs (with names) of the herbs. As the title implies, she does inform the reader as to how to improve your health uses specific herbs for and different ways to prepare them (in food, in a bath, as a compress, etc.). This is an excellent book to have on hand when deciding to grow herbs and how to use them when they are ready to be harvested.
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Complete Guide to Food Preservation Step By Step Instructions on How to Freeze Dry & Can & Preserve Food
by
Angela W Duea
code7r
, June 01, 2012
I really enjoy the “Back to Basics” series by Atlantic Publishing Group (atlantic-pub.com) and reading “The Complete Guide to Food Preservation” continues the tradition. As the title states, this book is to help instruct the reader on how to freeze, dry, can, smoke, juice and other ways to preserve food. As with most of the “Back to Basics” books, this one begins with a short history on the preservation of food. I really enjoy reading the history behind things, so I was happy it was included here. Ms. Duea is detailed when it comes to each way of preserving food. For example, in the canning section, she has a glossery of canning terms, canning tools (with picture), and the different ways of canning such as hot pack v. raw pack, water bath canners and pressure canners. She goes into the pros and cons of each process. This is pretty much the same procedure throughout the book. I also like that Ms. Duea included charts such as the vegetable harvesting guide, fruit harvesting guide, and troubleshooting problems and possible causes. There are a myriad of illustrations and recipes. Ms. Duea’s book is a good start to those who are starting out in the preservation method. She gives detailed instructions and covers many of the different methods. I would recommend, though, if you are looking to for more in depth recipes and instructions, you may want to look for books that are dedicated to only that method, such as if you want to mostly dry foods, then you may want to check out "The Complete Guide to Drying Foods at Home: Everything You Need to Know about Preparing, Storing, and Consuming Dried Foods".
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Field Guide to Earthlings An Autistic Asperger View of Neurotypical Behavior
by
Ian Ford
code7r
, May 25, 2012
“A Field Guide to Earthlings: An Autistic/Asperger View of Neurotypical Behavior” by Ian Ford is basically what the title implies… a guide for people on the autism spectrum about non-autistic people, referred to as neurotypicals (NT), and why NTs behave the way they do. First off, this book is written from the view point of someone on the autism spectrum for other people on the spectrum. I have not seen a book that was written like this before for people with autism/Aspergers and I think it is a great idea! The author, Ian Ford, is a self-identified autistic who is trying to understand the world of NTs and wants to help other autistic people to understand that world also. This book is not written for neurotypicals. In fact, NTs might find the layout of this book a little strange… but for folks on the spectrum, I think that they will find the layout and the information quite compelling. Mr. Ford covers all aspects of patterns of NT behavior such as: perception, communication, feelings, and relationships. Running throughout the book is a script where Mr. Ford has characters that act out scenes from a family who is having a wedding and incorporates what is happening in those scenes in his explanations of NT behaviors. Mr. Ford tries not to judge NT’s behaviors, but strives to put them in a context that a person on the spectrum would understand. As I noted above, the audience for this book is for those on the autism spectrum. For them, I give it 5 stars. For NTs, though, I would give it 3 stars. This book, though, is for an adult audience since it has some language and sexual content in it. It would be really beneficial if a book such as this came out that was appropriate for children, perhaps with the scenes happening in a school setting. A lot of kids would benefit from this as they strive to understand the world around them. Mr. Ford does not advocate that the autistic person change so that they mimic NT behaviors so they can fit in. Instead he encourages the autistic person “to remain authentic” and that “[t]he acting skills that you might learn to mask autism can be irrelevant or harmful to the process of self-discovery.”
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Cyber Bullying No More: Parenting a High Tech Generation
by
Holli Kenley
code7r
, May 24, 2012
“cyber bulling no more: Parenting a High Tech Generation” by Holli Kenley, M.A. is a book for all parents to read. Although the book isn’t very long, 21 pages, the author covers a lot of information. She discusses how to protect your child online by implementing safety measures and negotiating rules and then renegotiating as a child gets older and more responsible; how to get intervention for the child that might be a victim of cyber bulling or the child who is actually committing cyber bulling; and how to prevent destructive behaviors online. What I liked is that the author doesn’t go to the old standby of “children should be protected from technology.” She understands that technology is a way of life and the best way to protect our children is by educating them and also by modeling proper behavior online. She also discusses on having a safety plan in place (and what it should consist of) if anyone in the family is being cyber bullied. It is a quick read with a lot of good information. I know that I will be implementing her measures in my home.
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How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money: The Complete Guide for Business and Personal Use
by
Bruce C. Brown
code7r
, May 20, 2012
“How to Build Your Own Web Site with Little or No Money” by Bruce C. Brown is a comprehensive guide on how to construct a website from scratch. There is a lot of information packed into this 720 page book and seeing Mr. Brown’s other books (How to Use the Internet to Advertise and The Complete Guide to E-mail Marketing) the reader can assume that the author is very knowledgeable about the internet and all the things that go with it. I am the perfect audience for this book because I know practically nothing about designing my own web site. The author starts us off by giving us information about web site fundamentals including the difference between web site hosting and free web hosts, how to pick a good domain name and some things to take into account when planning what type of web site you will want. He then goes on to the business side of web sites such as performing a market analysis, marking strategies, employer identification numbers and business licenses. I liked that Mr. Brown included this section. When you see a book telling you how to build a web site, you don’t think about the legal aspects such as business licenses and establishing your business. This book makes it so that the reader doesn’t have to go off and look up this information elsewhere. Then we get to the fun stuff! Web Site Design 101 and HTML Fundamentals. I am the type of person who wants to learn from scratch how to do things. From the first step, Mr. Brown includes a screen shot of what it will look like as you do it. For example: Step 1: Open Notepad and type the HTML tags as shown below: then there is a screen shot of notepad with what it will look like when you type in the information. And we are only at Chapter 3 at this point and there are 20 chapters in all. That should give you a good idea about how in-depth this book is. Also interspersed throughout the book are side notes from others such as “You Must Do This Before You Begin ��" By Erin Pheil” on page 52 and “Generating Web Site Traffic ��" by Paul Pennel” on page 319. I look forward to finally getting my own web site up and running. With this book at my side, I don’t think it will be as difficult as it seems! Mr. Brown seems to have taken into account all the questions I had plus others that I should have had. This is definitely a good book to have!
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Complete Guide to Companion Planting Everything You Need to Know to Make Your Garden Successful
by
Dale Mayer
code7r
, May 19, 2012
“The Complete Guide to Companion Planting” by Dale Mayer is a book that shows the reader how to get the best out of their garden. As the author states in the introduction, “companion planting is best described as the practice of planting two or more plants together to enhance the growth and quality of nearby plants; to provide maximum ground cover; and, when possible, to improve the soil.” If this was the information you were looking for, then this is the book for you! Ms. Mayer gives examples in the first chapter about companion planting pairs and defines what such terms as perennials and flowering shrubs mean. She also discusses full-sun gardens, shade gardens, container gardens, window-box gardens, small corner (mini) gardens, raised bed gardens, and border gardens and gives the pros and cons of each in easy-to-read tables. She covers the good and bad bugs that usually come with gardens as well as birds, bats, frogs and toads. Then onto the actual plants themselves. Starting with Chapter 6, Ms. Mayer goes into detail about companion herbs (with pictures!), vegetables, annuals, perennials, fruits and more. She definitely shows that she knows what she is talking about with her descriptions and her suggestions about what to plant with what (i.e. Dutchman’s Pipe Vine is a good companion for plants requiring dense shade and the flowers will attract birds and butterflies, in particular the swallowtail butterfly). This is definitely a good book to have on hand when planning and executing any type of garden!
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The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning: Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply
by
Anne Kocsis
code7r
, May 19, 2012
“The Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly House Cleaning” by Anne B. Kocsis educates the reader on how they can clean their home using all natural, safe products or by even making the cleaning solutions from scratch! Ms. Kocsis starts the book with a brief history of the environmental movement and how we came to be in this state where hazardous chemicals and substances are now commonplace in our society. She covers what antibacterial and green mean. Chapters 3 and 4 cover companies and products that are considered green and not harmful to your or your family’s health. She gives a short history on companies such as Method (started by two men who were roomies at Stanford), Biokleen , Mrs. Myer’s Clean Day, and Shaklee Products and then list the products they make that would make the green list. I liked it when Ms. Kocsis included her own experience with a product such as the Wash-It Laundry Ball and Simple Green. By including this personal information, it made it feel that she really did research these products and is giving a very informed opinion at them. Then came my favorite part of the book: the recipes! Did you know you can make furniture polish out of vinegar and olive oil? How about pesticides with garlic and hot sauce? It is amazing how much of the cleaning products we purchase for our homes we can make from basic ingredients around the house. I have already tried the wood floor polish (2 cups of olive oil and 2 cups of vinegar mixed) and toilet bowl cleaner (vinegar followed by baking soda) with good results. The rest of the book breaks down room by room and how to clean it from top to bottom, even the outdoors! This book is well researched and I really liked the way the author put in her experiences throughout the book. I know that I will keep it handy so that I can refer back to it when I need to clean or polish something. My only disappointment was that the index did not list the page numbers for the recipes in the book. When I was ready to try the wood floor cleaner, I went to the index to quickly locate the page it was on, but it wasn’t listed. So I had to go and page through the book to find it.
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How to Start & Make a Conversation How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less
by
Gottschalk, Christopher
code7r
, May 15, 2012
“How to Start and Make a Conversation: How to Talk to Anyone in 30 Seconds or Less” by Chris Gottschalk is a book that is meant to help people who may be shy or awkward when starting a conversation with others. Mr. Gottschalk covers many areas such as social anxiety, rejection, and self-esteem as possible barriers to some when it comes to conversation. He further delves into body language, making small talk, how to leave a conversation, how to have conversations with new friends and even how to ask someone on a date! Mr. Gottschalk does a good job with breaking down the importance of conversation and how to overcome some of the difficulties people face when trying to initiate conversation. I liked that he covered how to talk with potential friends and romantic interests. And just as important and starting a conversation is the ability to end a conversation. Although a lot of this is common sense, it helps to really understand what may be holding you back by seeing it spelled out in print. Mr. Gottschalk does not talk down to the reader but makes the reader feel understood. Do I think this book will change shy people over night? No. But it can help a shy person build up the skills to overcome their fears and make conversations more appealing.
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The Homeowner's Guide to for Sale by Owner: Everything You Need to Know to Sell Your Home Yourself and Save Thousands [With CDROM]
by
Bondanza
code7r
, May 13, 2012
“The Homeowner’s Guide to FOR SALE BY OWNER” was written by Jackie Bondanza about what a homeowner can do to sell their home. It is directed towards people who wish to sell their home by themselves and not with a realtor. But if you are using a realtor, then this book is just as important for you. The information given is applicable to both the person selling on their own and those selling using an agent. The book covers many areas such as “Selling in a Buyer’s Market versus a Seller’s Market,” how to price your home, getting the home ready to show, marketing your home, and how to handle the contracts and documents which are part of every sale. Although this book states in the title that it is for those who wish to sell on their own, this book is just as relevant to the person who chooses to go through a real estate agent. I really liked the part of the book that discussed how to stage your home. The author covers the living room (i.e. to arrange furniture around the fireplace to help accentuate it”, the kitchen (which can make or break a deal), the master bedroom, extra bedrooms, the dining room, the bathrooms, entrances and exits and also how to stage a home office or basement if you have them. She even gives hints on the proper way to photograph your home and the common mistakes that sellers do when photographing their home and which pictures you should put online. At the end of the book she covers the costs associated with selling the home such as which costs are typically paid by the buyer, the seller and which fees are negotiable that can be paid by either. This book is chock full of information and would benefit any person who wishes to sell their home. It can help take some of the anxiety out by providing the seller the information that is needed to get their home. It is written so that it does not overwhelm the reader. My only complaint is the CD-ROM that came with it. I have Microsoft 2010 on my computer and I was unable to pull up any of the documents on the CD-ROM. This was disappointing since the information on it included Contract of Offer and Acceptance, Deed of Sale, Buyers Purchase Agreement, and other documents that the seller will need to know about. The good news is that you don’t need the CD-ROM to benefit from the information in this book.
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Crater
by
Homer Hickam
code7r
, May 11, 2012
“Crater” by Homer Hickam is a science fiction book geared towards kids about a boy named Crater who is a miner on the moon. Crater is a naïve, but brilliant boy who lost his parents when he was a baby. He grows up on the moon under the care of Queen Bess (aka Q-Bess) along with her son Petro whom Crater considers a brother. Crater is soon tapped by the powerful owner of the mining settlement where Crater resides, Colonel Medaris of the Medaris Mining Company, to go to another settlement on the moon to pick up a mysterious package. Crater is joined by his best friend, Petro, and the Colonel’s granddaughter, Maria, on this journey. I was really excited to read this book when I read the description on the back. I was sad to be disappointed in it once I finished. The book starts off slow and the author sometimes runs a gag into the ground (i.e. the fact that gillie is illegal). We are following from the viewpoint of Crater, but the author will not let the reader in on some of the important things such as what is the package, why is it important. An example of this is when Maria tells Crater what is in the package, but doesn’t tell the reader what is in the package. Once I did find out what was in the package, I didn’t understand why it “wasn’t possible” that it was what it was. I didn’t understand why people were killing for it.
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101 Recipes for Preparing Food in Bulk Everything You Need to Know about Preparing Storing & Consuming
by
Richard Helweg
code7r
, May 11, 2012
“101 Recipes for Preparing Food in Bulk” by Richard Helweg is a cookbook with a twist; you won’t find a recipe calling for 2 cups of flour… instead you will find it calling for 6 5/8 pounds of flour (for Baking Powder Biscuits, page 91). This book is not for large families, but for anyone who wants to save money and time by purchasing items in bulk and cooking large quantities at one time and freezing it to use later. The author includes what tools and equipment you will need on hand in your kitchen, buying the correct freezer to meet your needs, preparing a shopping list, getting your workspace ready, and cleaning up. He discusses how to freeze foods and how to thaw them. The book is loaded with recipes for beverages, breakfasts, lunches, dinner, side dishes, breads, appetizers, snacks, soups, sauces, and desserts. It also includes a CD-ROM that has all the recipes in the book and hundreds more. Mr. Helweg does a great job of demystifying the job of cooking in bulk. He includes freezing directions at the end of each recipe. The only reason I didn’t give the book five stars is that I didn’t like the way the CD-ROM was set up. I found it difficult to navigate. It would be great if the author set up a website instead (perhaps with a password listed in the book) where the reader could access these recipes in an easier manner.
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The Complete Guide to Drying Foods at Home: Everything You Need to Know about Preparing, Storing, and Consuming Dried Foods
by
Paajanen, Terri
code7r
, May 11, 2012
“The Complete Guide to Drying Foods at Home” by Terri Paajanen is a comprehensive guide on all the ways to dry and store foods. The author covers all types of drying methods: sun drying, air drying, oven drying, food dehydrators, and microwave drying and explains the drawbacks and benefits of each method. But that isn’t all, the author also gives a little history about drying foods, how to properly store it, and using dehydrated foods. For those who are just beginners at drying foods and those who have been doing it for a while, this book if for all those in that range. Ms. Paajanen does an excellent job with educating the reader on the history of drying foods, the different methods, proper storage, safety, what can be dried, using dehydrated foods, and she gives a ton of recipes incorporating dried foods. One example of a recipe in this book: Spiced Apple Leather 4 apples 1/2 cup water or apple juice 1/4 tsp cinnamon 1/8 tsp cloves When she is covering how to dry fruits, vegetables, herbs, bread, nuts, etc., she also gives directions on how to dry them using each method and which method is the best for that item. This book will need to be kept on hand in the kitchen as it will be frequently referred to!
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Beacon Street Girls 01 Worst Enemies Best Friends
by
Annie Bryant
code7r
, May 07, 2012
“Beacon Street Girls” by Anne Bryant is a series of books aimed toward tween/teenage girls. The first book in the series is “Worst Enemies/Best Friends.” The premise of the story is that Charlotte, who is a tween, has moved a lot due to her father being a writer. When they move again, he asks Charlotte where she wants to go and she says that she wants to go to Brookline, Massachusetts where she was born and lived for the first four years of her life. Charlotte’s mother died when she was four. Being a new girl is hard and starting junior high is hard, so Charlotte had a lot to be worried about when she starts at Abigail Adams Junior High. It is through her experiences here that she learns that first impressions are not always correct. We follow Charlotte as she navigates being the new girl, finding out that not everyone is as she thinks they are, that families are made up differently (some have no mother, others are adopted, etc.) , that having a crush on a boy can cause problems between friends and more. We don’t just see things through Charlotte’s eyes, though. We also have narration from the other girls in the book that become Charlotte’s friends. I would highly recommend this book to tween/teenage girls. The characters are all plausible and the situations that arise are common enough that any teenage girl can relate to something in the story. This is a series that parents don’t’ have to worry about anything being inappropriate in it such as language or sexual situations.
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Camp Colorblind
by
Jc Conrad-Ellis
code7r
, May 06, 2012
"Camp Colorblind" is the second novel in a series by JC Conrad-Ellis. It continues the story of 14 year old Tanisha Carlson and her relationship with her friends, boyfriends, and family. At the end of the last book, "Boys, Beauty & Betrayal," Tanisha received a phone call from a boy, but we don't find out who that boy is until page 26 of "Camp Colorblind." I enjoyed this story better than the first book "Boy, Beauty & Betrayal." Perhaps it is because I knew all the characters and the situation already and so I could dive right into book two. In this book, Tanisha is pursued by an older boy, David. She likes him but doesn't know if they are really compatible since she is poor and from a broken home and David's parents are successful and live in the higher class area. Tanisha struggles with upper-class and lower-class feelings of inadequacy. Tanisha also spends two weeks at a leadership camp that is paid for by her school. There, she is one of the few black kids and wonders if she will be ostracized for the color of her skin. To complicate it all, Tanisha's mother suffers from bi-polar syndrome and Tanisha seems to take the brunt of her mother's anger when she is off her medications. Tanisha is a flawed character and struggles with many issues that young people today are dealing with. She also struggles with her feelings about being black and about people who are white. This is not a subject that we often see in books. Normally it is the white person who makes problems based on the color of a person's skin. It was interesting to see how Tanisha dealt with her feelings about her brother dating a white girl and herself being attracted to a white boy at camp. It will be interesting to see where this author takes Tanisha on her journey through childhood into adulthood.
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Helen Keller in Love
by
Rosie Sultan
code7r
, May 04, 2012
“Helen Keller in Love” by Rosie Sultan is a story about Helen Keller when she was 36 years old and her love affair with her secretary, Peter Fagan. It is told through the voice of Helen Keller. The target audience for this book is young adults/adults. Reading the synopsis of this book really intrigued me. Helen Keller really was an amazing woman who overcame incredible obstacles and her story deserves to be told. Usually we are only told the story of the childhood of Helen Keller, but this book takes us directly into her adult life. Helen’s companion, since the time she was 7 years old, was Anne Sullivan. Anne Sullivan continued to be Helen’s main companion and interpreter until her death, I believe. This story illustrates that Anne was a bit controlling and she completely tried to dissuade Helen from ever pursuing a romantic relationship. Helen’s mother had the same agenda also. When Anne is diagnosed with tuberculosis, she is forced to bring in another person to be Helen’s secretary until she can get better. Thus, in comes Peter Fagan. Helen is immediately drawn to Peter Fagan. I don’t see why she was unless it was because he was the first non-related male she came into close contact with and the thrill of that made Helen pursue him. Peter immediately takes to Helen and they begin a secret romance. Although this book was told with Helen as the narrator, I sometimes forgot that she was deaf or blind. How did she know of conversations that didn’t include her? Sometimes the author would allude to sounds such as “…crossed the room in a sslap-sslap-sslap of her bare feet.” I guess it could mean what the vibrations felt like, but to me it came across more as what it sounded like rather than felt like. But this is just a minor issue. Helen Keller must have been very lonely and really wanted to have independence, which would be impossible since she had to rely on someone for everything such as picking out her clothes or telling her what was going on in the world. This book highlights her loneliness and her dependence on Anne Sullivan. The relationship with Peter seemed rushed and a little unrealistic, but perhaps that was the way it really was. We never think about what Helen’s life was like after childhood and this book was an interesting peek into her adult life. There were some minor issues with the story that I didn’t like, but overall it was a good read and I learned some really interesting things about Helen and Anne and what life must have been like for both of them… they both depended on and needed each other. Was this detrimental or instrumental to their relationship? That is up to the reader to decide. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Boys, Beauty and Betrayal
by
Jc Conrad-Ellis
code7r
, May 04, 2012
“Boys, Beauty & Betrayal” by JC Conrad-Ellis is a book aimed at teenage girls that covers issues that concern these girls in this day and age. The story is told from the viewpoint of Tanisha, who is 14 years old, lives in a broken home, is in the beginnings of discovering boys (who are now discovering her), and is learning about the fragility of friendship. Ms. Conrad-Ellis definitely wrote this book with teenage girls in mind. She covers the gamut of issues that many girls feel. Tanisha is a likeable character who definitely is going through a lot with being in middle school (which can be hell to begin with), noticing and being noticed by older boys, trying to protect a friend but losing the friendship in return, and having a mother who is most likely undiagnosed bipolar. I had a hard time getting into this book and I don’t know why. It was written well, but I think that the characters could have been more fleshed out. The author is trying to cover a lot of themes throughout this book so that she can present a positive way of looking at life. I did like the uplifting message but I just wish that I had connected to the story better.
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Takehome Teacher: Middle-School Math Explained
by
Brian, M.Ed. Kahover
code7r
, April 28, 2012
This is a good supplement for parents/students to keep on hand while going through middle school math. Mr. Kahover breaks down many of the concepts that a child will encounter in 6th-8th grade math. This book will also help parents who are trying to help their child learn middle math concepts.
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Anew: The Archers of Avalon, Book One
by
Chelsea Fine
code7r
, April 28, 2012
“Anew: The Archers of Avalon (Book One)” by Chelsea Fine did what a book should do. It made me want to read the next book in the series! “Anew” follows the story of Scarlet who wakes up in a forest when she is 15 years old and all she can remember is her name. Skip ahead two years and Scarlet is now 17 and still has no memory of her past, only a symbol that she keeps drawing over and over but doesn’t know what it means. Her best friend, Heather, is blonde, beautiful, and boy crazy and she is on a mission to get a boyfriend for Scarlet. Scarlet has no problem attracting boys, but distances herself because of her amnesia. Until the Kissing Festival. There she meets Gabriel. It is also at the Kissing Festival that she notices a mysterious man who keeps watching her. And why is there a familiarity with both of them? This book is a good read. The author keeps the reader interested from the moment she starts the book with “she awoke with her face against cold, damp dirt.” I like all the characters. The best friend, Heather, brings needed comic relief to a serious story. Gabriel and his twin, Tristan, are polar opposites but have the same objective when it comes to Scarlet. Scarlet brings across a vulnerableness that makes the reader sympathize with her. The only character that was not fleshed out was Scarlet’s guardian, Laura. I didn’t understand her purpose in the story, except maybe she becomes important in the next novel in this series. This book would appeal to teenagers and young adults alike.
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Barely Alive
by
Bonnie R. Paulson
code7r
, April 28, 2012
“Barely Alive” by Bonnie R. Paulson asks “can a zombie have a good heart?” This novel, unlike many others of the zombie genre, actually takes the reader to the beginning of the zombie virus and how it started. The main character, Paul, is our zombie with a heart. He has been injected with the virus and only has 12 weeks to live (the typical lifespan for a zombie). When he is sent out by the boss to pick up girls for food, he didn’t imagine that they would come back with a feisty one named Heather, and Heather is about to change things for Paul. She reminds him of his goodness, but that is not the main reason Paul wants to save her. Paul ends up with a huge crush on Heather and wants to protect her at any cost, especially when his boss finds out that she has a natural immunity to the virus. I had a hard time getting into this story, I don’t know why. It is well written and interesting. I think it may be due to the fact that we really don’t know a whole lot about Paul or his past. It is kind of hard to sympathize with him. He is funny, especially when he vacillates between wanting to eat Heather and wanting to date her. Heather does have spunk. The creator of the virus, Dominic, is a creep. Everyone is playing their part. I think that this book definitely would appeal to the teenage reader. It has an interesting premise. I had read Ms. Paulson’s novel, Into the End, which I thought was very good and perhaps I was hoping that this would move along at the same pace at that novel. This novel takes it time getting warmed up, but don’t let that stop you. Zombie stories are all the rage now, it is nice to get one where you learn the origin of the virus and find a zombie with a sense of humor and chivalry. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Into the End
by
Bonnie R. Paulson
code7r
, April 27, 2012
“Into the End” by Bonnie R. Paulson is an interesting look at what would happen if America was invaded. America has been suffering from natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes, but now it finds itself being bombed and invaded and they are not sure who is doing the invading. I liked this book. We follow along with Rachel Parker and her family as they flee to hidden mountain getaway after the first round of air raids. Her husband, Andy, was a survivalist and made sure that their place in the Rocky Mountains had the means to help them survive should the worst happen. Along the way we meet an amateur ham radio boy, the girl he likes, and Rachel’s sister. We never learn in the book who is attacking and why. Rachel also has some past history working on secret tests about fear. She was traumatized when she returned from those testing trails and wouldn’t talk about what happened. The reader is left wondering if Rachel’s testing may have helped the invaders plan their attack. I will admit that I felt a little let down when the book ended because it left so many questions unanswered. I guess that is what the sequel is for. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Egghead: Book 5
by
Karla Oceanak
code7r
, April 27, 2012
“Egghead” by Karla Oceanak is the fifth book in a series that will eventually cover the whole alphabet. Aldo Zelnick in the narrator. He is 10 years old, very bright, and doesn’t like Spanish. I dislike books that talk down to children. Children are smart and books should treat them that way. Thank goodness Ms. Oceanak agrees with me! This was such a fun book to read. It is fun to “read” Aldo’s journal as he deals with learning Spanish and getting ready for Halloween. The cool thing about this book is that the author likes to put in a lot of words that start with “E,” put an asterisk next to the word, and then put the definition in the back of the book. Along the way we learn a little bit of Spanish. Aldo is an “A” student, except in Spanish where he pulls a “D.” His best friend, Jack, is bilingual and tries to help Aldo. Aldo has a vivid imagination and it shows through all the little drawings and side comments that he makes throughout the book. I would highly recommend this book for kids ages 8 or 9 up. Aldo is a blast to hang out and it never hurts that the reader may learn a few new things along the way. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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My Sparkling Misfortune
by
Laura Lond
code7r
, April 27, 2012
“My Sparking Misfortune” by Laura Lond is a fun action-packed book for kids where the main character (and narrator) is a villain! Lord Arkus of Blackriver Castle (aka Arkus the Fearsome and the Dreaded Lord) is the narrator of this story. He tries to pass himself off as a meanie, but is he really? In order to defeat his arch enemy, Prince Kellemar of Dalvanna, Lord Arkus decides to capture a gormark, which is an evil spirit. Once captured, Lord Arkus would bound the gormack to five years of service. But, Lord Arkus actually captures a sparkling which is a spirit that “helps heroes, watches over little children, and messes up villains’ plans.” And thus we are off on an adventure where we try to find out if villains can actually have a heart. This book would definitely appeal to boys, but has plenty that would keep girls interested as well. I like Ms. Lond’s version of a villain. Lord Arkus is very humorous with a multi-faceted personality. This book shows that not everything is black and white, good or evil. Villains can actually be more sincere and honest than heroes and sometimes heroes aren’t all that they seem. There are lessons to be learned in the story about looking beyond the exterior and seeing what a person is really like on the inside. You may be surprised!
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Improving the Foundations: Batman Begins from Comics to Screen
by
Julian Darius
code7r
, April 23, 2012
“improving the foundations: batman begins from comics to screen” by Julian Darius is an in-depth look at the movie Batman Begins and the beginnings of Batman in the comic form. Mr. Darius begins with the history of Batman in the comics (Detective Comics #27 May 1939) and shows the reader how Batman became to be and how his story evolved over the years. From there, the author then delves into the movie, Batman Begins, and breaks it down into acts and scenes. He begins each act/scene with a description of what is happening at that moment. For example: Act 1, Scene 3 (Flashback Sequence 2), Part 1: Continuing directly from the previous flashback, Thomas Wayne pulls his son Bruce up from the well and takes him into Wayne Manor. Mr. Darius then goes into detail about the history of that scene and its importance. He refers back to particular comics that help illustrate the scene. He will also go into the choice of actor for a role in the film and give some background on the person. What I really liked is that Mr. Darius also included illustrations from the actual comics throughout the book. I’m not a big Batman fan, but I love the behind the scenes and history of things. This book did not disappoint. I really like the attention to even the smallest details. I enjoyed having each act/scene broken down and the significance of it explained. This book makes me want to go back and watch Batman Begins while holding the book in my hand and referring to it. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works
by
John D. Waterman
code7r
, April 21, 2012
“48 Hours to Chaos: An Engineer Looks at Life and How the World Really Works” by John D. Waterman is a book that covers a lot of territory, from what our planet was like before man up to present day mankind. The first part is interesting when Mr. Waterman is giving us the time-line for earths 4.6 billion years of history (Chapter 1) and the meaning of life (Chapter 3), but gets really interesting when he starts talking about how our societies evolved and how we are affected by choices we make or that we let others make for us. Mr. Waterman keeps his own beliefs out of this book and presents to the reader the facts. He discusses how pecking orders in society come about and what motivates humans in our actions. He covers the different kinds of governments and the pros and cons about them. What I particularly liked was that Mr. Waterman kept a sense of humor throughout the book, mostly in his footnotes. For example, in Chapter Two, footnote 4 is as follows: [4] Full disclosure: The scene featuring the time machine is a fictional device used to illustrate the points about life on the early Earth. Time travel is actually impossible under the current scientific understanding of reality, and will remain so until the second law of thermodynamics is superseded by a more sophisticated explanation of the underlying principles. In many of the chapters, Mr. Waterman also provides stories to help illustrate his point and often a summary of the chapter. This book would be a welcome addition to any classroom and I am more informed than I was before. Mr. Waterman is able to talk to the reader as an intelligent human being and also shows that you can inject humor into any subject. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Memoirs Of A Teenage Amnesiac
by
Gabrielle Zevin
code7r
, April 20, 2012
“memoirs of a teenage amnesiac” by Garielle Zevin is a story about a 17 year old girl who falls down a flight a stairs and suffers a head trauma. Naomi is the main character and because of the head trauma she “loses” the past four years of her life. This story is told from her point of view and begs the reader to ask themselves that if they lost the past four years, would they be the same person? In this story the focus is mostly on Will (aka Coach) who is Naomi’s best friend, Ace who is her boyfriend, James who is the bad boy, and Naomi’s dad. As Naomi tries to reconstruct the past four years of her life, she finds that she didn’t necessarily like the person that she was. As a reader, I find that I didn’t particularly like the person Naomi was before the accident. She is portrayed as a spoiled popular girl who is primarily focused on herself. Since her accident, Naomi has essentially become the opposite. Since her last memories were of sixth grade, she is amazed at how much has changed in the interim. Her mother is remarried with a daughter (when did her folks get divorced?), her dad has a girlfriend (does Naomi like her or not), she is dating the athlete (really, what did she see in him), and what exactly is her relationship to her best friend, Will. As we go with Naomi on this journey, we learn along with her what type of girl she was and what type of girl she wants to be. This was a good YA book. The title immediately caught my attention and drew me in. Ms. Zevin does a good job with her characters and capturing what it might be like as a teenager in high school. There were a couple of moments that were a little far-fetched such as when Naomi is left on a beach for 5 hours without any idea when her boyfriend (who said he would be back in an hour) will return. When he does, she isn’t mad. I don’t know many people who wouldn’t be furious if that happened to them. Overall this was a fun read. I felt that the author did a good job and that teens and adults alike would enjoy this story.
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Borgia Mistress
by
Sara Poole
code7r
, April 20, 2012
“The Borgia Mistress: A Novel” by Sara Poole is a historical fiction story that takes place in Rome around the year 1493. The lead character, Francesca Giordano, is the court poisoner to House of Borgia and Rodrigo Borgia who becomes Pope Alexander VI. Francesca’s father was a prisoner to the House of she was raised in the household along with Borgia’s son, Cesare Borgia, who eventually becomes Francesca’s lover. Francesca has to unravel a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart Pope Alexander’s rule and possibly Christendom. To get to the heart of the conspiracy, she has to find an assassin who was sent to attack the Pope. While trying to locate the assassin, Francesca’s sanity is at stake and she wonders if she is going mad. This is the third installment in the Poisoners series by Ms. Poole. I did not read the first two. Although I felt that I did miss some of the backstory by not reading them, I did not feel that they were needed to enjoy this story. I love historical fiction and it is books like this that reaffirm why I love them. Ms. Poole blends fictional characters and real people seamlessly in this novel. She has definitely done her research and found a way to breathe new life into it. I did find the book a bit slow in the beginning (perhaps because I did not read the first two books in the series), but around halfway it really picked up and I couldn’t put it down until I was finished. Francesca is a sympathetic character who you find yourself caring about, even though her primary job is to poison enemies of the Pope. I definitely want to read the first two books in this series. It was well written and a pleasure to read. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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The Storytellers: Atlantis - Book Two
by
Rebecca McKinsey
code7r
, April 13, 2012
“The Storytellers: Atlantis” by Rebecca McKinsey is her second book in The Storytellers saga. This book picks up where the first book, “Anterra,” left off with the main characters, Hannah and Aaron. In this new adventure Hannah gets to go to the city of Atlantis and Aaron gets to hang out with pirates! Both of them are searching for another “key” before the Shadow finds it. The Shadow is the boogeyman in this series and we don’t really know what his overall plans are, but we do know that his intentions are evil. This book was different from the first book as the main characters, Hannah and Aaron, spend much of the book apart. It is almost as though this book is really two different stories that end up merging in the end. Both stories are good but I missed the interaction between Hannah and Aaron that they had in the first book. I found the story about the City of Atlantis interesting. It is a different take on what it would be like living in an underwater city and how society would be. Hannah lucks out on meeting the right people as soon as she gets to Atlantis and with their help, she is able to do what she needs to do in order to get the key and to get back to Aaron. The story with Aaron is a little different as he ends up on a pirate ship. Aaron isn’t as interesting as Hannah in this book, but he does have a fun adventure. “The Storytellers” is a fun series and I enjoyed reading “Atlantis.” I hope that in the next book Hannah and Aaron do more together and that we learn more about Aaron and his mysterious gloves. I would suggest for those who want to read this book to read Book One first to get a better grasp on why Hannah and Aaron are where they are and how their relationship came about.
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Not Just Spirited: A Mom's Sensational Journey with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)
by
Chynna T. Laird
code7r
, April 13, 2012
“not just spirited” by Chynna T. Laird is a compelling book about her daughter, Jaimie, who suffers from Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and her journey to find a diagnosis and ways to help her daughter cope. This was a moving book about the love of a mother and the lengths she will go for her child. SPD is often misdiagnosed and parents are at a loss as to why their child is behaving that way and what they can do to help their child. Mrs. Laird was no different. When Jaimie was a baby, Mrs. Laird knew there was something wrong at around three months. Talking over her concerns with her pediatrician, she walked away being told that it was normal and she was just a nervous first time mom. And thus began her search for what was really wrong with her daughter. This was a heart wrenching story. Although I really felt for the mother, Jaimie’s relationship (or lack of a relationship) with her father was completely heart breaking. Having a child who doesn’t want to be touched or hugged, or screaming because of something she smells or sees, is extremely frustrating and difficult. Many times Mrs. Laird and her husband were told that it was lack of discipline or that it was their fault. Perhaps if they read this book those people would understand that Mrs. Laird and her husband are doing everything they can for their daughter and that compassion from others is actually what is needed instead of judgment. Mrs. Laird does a good job documenting her story and Jaimie’s struggles with this disorder. SPD was not a term I had heard of until recently and awareness definitely needs to be brought to the public’s attention. Hopefully this book will reach out and make others aware that SPD is real and educate them about what it means to have SPD or to have a child with SPD. Even though Jaimie now has a diagnosis doesn’t meant that her sensitivities will get better, but it will mean she can get help to learn how to cope with them. It would be interesting if Mrs. Laird did a follow-up book when Jaimie is older so that the reader can see how she is doing. Jaimie got into my heart and I would love to know how she learns how to cope as she grows up.
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Business Structures and Incorporation: How-To and Do-It-Yourself
by
Ann Carrington
code7r
, April 13, 2012
“Business Structures and Incorporation” by Ann Carrington discusses the different types of business entities (sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies) and what a person needs to know when deciding what type of business they should incorporate as and why. The author also covers why choosing the right name for your business is crucial, how to keep corporate records, and tax matters. This book is a must have for anyone starting up a business. The author covers all aspects of the business and why certain things such as business name and business structure are so important from the beginning. Also included are sample checklists such as “Select a Business Structure Checklist,” “Register with the Tax Authorities Checklist,” “Accounting and Bookkeeping Checklist,” and “Payroll Taxes Checklist” just to name a few. There are also sample agreements which cover the articles of incorporation, bylaws, and indemnity agreement. Sample forms are there too to help the reader to fill out properly such forms as Employer Identification Number, federal form SS-4 and Fictitious Business Name Statement. The author covers every aspect and helps the soon to be business owner feel confident in their decisions and how they go about the legal aspects of incorporating. This book is definitely a must have for anyone who is starting a business or even has a business. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate
by
T. K. Richardson
code7r
, April 13, 2012
“Simmer: Recipes for the Teen Palate” by T.K. Richardson is a cookbook aimed at teenagers as a way for them to get excited about making their own meals instead of heading out for fast food. The author covers safety in the kitchen, common ingredients, and tools that are needed to make any of the recipes. In the main course section, the teenager can learn to cook bacon cheese burgers, deep fried burritos, and chicken cacciatore. For side dishes, snacks and sandwiches, there are recipes for jalapeno pigs in a blanket, pizza poppers, and wide French fries. The author also covers breakfasts with recipes such as crispy fried eggs, banana nut pancakes, and sausage alfredo quiche. And last, but not least, the dessert section where the teenager can learn to cook strawberry sweet cake, chocolate cream pie and pineapple lime delight! This is a quaint cookbook with easy to follow directions that won’t overwhelm the new teenage cook. All recipes have a list of ingredients, what kitchen tools that will be used (skillet, spatula, measuring cups) and step by step directions. My only complaint is that it doesn’t have pictures. For me, seeing what the end product should look like helps me cook better. Also, when flipping through the book for a recipe, a lot of times seeing a picture of something yummy will help make up my mind. I also like it when the author leaves a blurb talking about why they included the recipe and what makes it so good. This book is a good cookbook for any person (teenager or adult) who may not feel really comfortable in the kitchen. With the step by step instructions and the list of tools needed, it is almost foolproof. The author also notes in the table of contents which items are vegetarian. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Serving Gifted Students Within an Rti Framework: A Practical Guide
by
Susan Johnsen and Tracey Sulak and Karen Rollins
code7r
, April 08, 2012
“Serving Gifted Students Within an RtI Framework: A Practical Guide” by Susan K. Johnsen, Ph.D., Tracey N. Sulak and Karen Rollins provides an overview of RtI (Response to Intervention) models in gifted education. RtI is a federally mandated program that was introduced in 2004 as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. Its purpose is to identify students with learning disabilities using the RtI process. The RtI process typically focuses on those children who have deficit skills, but this book shows how it should also focus on gifted students. This book focuses on the following: Overview of the Response to Intervention Process Strong General Education Curriculum for Gifted Students Tiers of Intervention Monitoring Student Progress Collaboration Professional Development for Gifted Educators Involved in the RtI Process This book does an excellent job of breaking down what the RtI process is and the many ways it can be implemented. It should be a must-have for all gifted teachers and for their administration. Gifted students tend not to be considered when looking at those who need more intense curriculum and support. This book shows how gifted students’ needs are not being met and how to use the RtI to meet them. The authors include many tables throughout the book to help the reader to be able to glance over the information. The first table demonstrates the Tier Process of RtI and shows how the three tiers affect the following: curriculum, assessments, teacher, research-based intervention, and location. Each chapter also contains a summary of the chapter. I thought that this book did an excellent job of breaking down exactly what the RtI is and how its implementation varies from state to state. It gives the gifted teacher concrete ways to use the RtI to help gifted students who tend to be overlooked. It is good for parents of gifted students also who may not quite understand what RtI is (I sure didn’t) and offers ways that parents can also help their child, such as having their child participate in Academic Talent Searches and other opportunities such as Odyessy of the Mind and Future Problem Solving Program International. It also has information about web-based resources for RtI. In the back of the book there is a table that lists each state and whether the state responded to their survey, if the state’s model includes Gifted and Talented (GT), if the model is in the drafting stage including GT, how GT is part of the state’s model, how GT is supported within RtI, if GT is part of the visual model, and who to contact in that state. Excellent book for those who work with gifted children, whether it be parents, teachers or school administrators. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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The Evolutionary Glitch: Rise Above the Root of Your Problems
by
Albert Garoli
code7r
, April 05, 2012
“The Evoluntary Glitch: Rise Above the Root of Your Problems” by Dr. Albert Garoli is a self-help book to help you learn how to stop the negative patterns and how to find the real you. Dr. Garoli has an extensive background including practicing and teaching of Traditional Chinese and Oriental Medicines, Ayurvedic medicine, Acupuncture, Biophysics and more. From his extensive research in biological learning models, Dr. Garoli believes that many of our behavioral issues can be traced back to an evolutionary glitch that allows traumas in our lives to manifest in a Persona that actually is harmful. According to Dr. Garoli, “rejection causes compromise, which leads to the development of a Persona.” His book, “The Evolutionary Glitch,” helps the reader to identify their particular Persona and gives them exercises that will help purge the Persona and allow the person to live a fuller and happier life. Through Dr. Garoli’s writings, it is clear that he definitely knows what he is talking about. Some of the areas he covers are: It All Stems from Your Attitude How We Become What We Are Not The Brain Trap Coping Strategies Mind-Opening Exercises This is not a book that is meant to be read front to back in one sitting. I tried that when I first started reading and it soon became overwhelming. Taking it a chapter at a time really helped. I definitely found Dr. Garoli’s research interesting and I liked how he presented his information, starting with the first chapter where he describes your “stance,” which is basically figuring out where you are in life regarding your where you live, what activities you participate in, your family and friend relationships, your employment, and your home and community. I don’t know if this book was what I was hoping it would be. It did seem overwhelming at times and does require a leap of faith. I have no doubt that those who follow this will end up feeling different about themselves, most likely feeling better. Perhaps I will go back to it in the future and give it another go.
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Brain Jack
by
Brian Falkner
code7r
, April 03, 2012
"Brain Jack" by Brian Falkner is a story about a 17 year old boy named Sam Wilson who is a genius hacker who, after bringing "the United States of America to its knees," is recruited to work for Homeland Security. This book was a wild ride and a peek into the minds of computer geniuses. If you ever wondered how you can have an action thriller book about computers and hacking, then this is a good book for you. The book as well paced and the characters become people who you root for. I really enjoyed this book and it is relevant to our present day. Sam is presented as an intelligent and mature teenager and would definitely hit a note with teenagers reading the book. I will definitely be seeking out other books by this author!
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A Geometric Analysis of the Platonic Solids and Other Semi-Regular Polyhedra
by
Kenneth J. M. MacLean
code7r
, March 31, 2012
“A Geometric Analysis of the Platonic Solids and Other Semi-Regular Polyhedra” by Kenneth J.M. MacLean is quite the mouthful of a title to read. The title will entice those who love numbers but will be off-putting to those who don’t, which is a shame because Mr. MacLean does a good job of showing the reader the beauty of numbers and the relationships between them. The book has over 140 full-color illustrations which help to demonstrate just what concept the author is trying to describe. He often gives a solid illustration and then breaks it down into its components. For example, chapter 12 is about the Rhombic Dodecahedron which has a picture of what it would look like as a solid object but then Mr. MacLean breaks it down into its components: 12 faces, 14 vertices, 24 sides or edges. He then goes on to explain why it is called a rhombus, how to find the volume, the surface angles, and the Dihedral angle. I admit that I did get a little lost in the formulas. My favorite parts where when the author talked about the Phi Ratio and the Fibonacci Series. The Phi Ratio is also known as the Golden Ratio and is about proportion and shows the person how to see the “relationship between one quantity and another quantity.” The Fibonacci Series is perhaps the most beautiful way to talk about nature and the universe and Mr. MacLean includes real photos in this section of a nautilus shell, a molded wax agave and a sunflower to demonstrate what the Fibonacci Series is. He also illustrates the Fibonacci Series on the human body relationships. This book is for those who love numbers for they will be drawn to the formulas and the illustrations and will be able to appreciate the beauty of it all. For those who find numbers and math as something to be afraid of or as something that is too hard to understand, they can still enjoy the illustrations but will be overwhelmed with the more technical nature of the book.
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Alphabet Meditations for Teachers: Everyday Wisdom for Educators
by
Nancy Oelklaus
code7r
, March 31, 2012
“Alphabet Meditations for Teachers” by Nancy Oelklaus is a book that has a poem/meditation for each letter of the alphabet. The author wanted to created something that a teacher could go back to to remind him/her why he/she became a teacher: “because they care about kids and want to make a meaningful contribution to their lives.” The author, Nancy Oelklaus, began as a high school English teacher and then went on to become an assistant superintendent for instructional services and then an executive director for the Texas Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. She has spent a large portion of her life in the educational system and knows first-hand some of the frustrations that teachers go through. This book of meditations is a book that she wished she would have had as a teacher to remind her why she became a teacher. This book is written for teachers, but anyone that works with children would benefit from it. One of my favorite meditations in the book is “B is for Bells” which starts out with: Bells are driving me nuts. They control my Every move ��" decisions. I hear them in my dreams ��" Or nightmares. But then the author will show her enthusiasm in such meditations such as “I is for Imagination” That’s it! There’s a Stream called Imagination. My job is to find a Launch for my canoe. ….. Help me find the right Launch. Help me not Dam the stream. Help me find the power of their imagination. This book would be an ideal gift for any teacher. A new teacher will feel that he/she is not alone in some of the frustrations he/she may run into while teachers who have been teaching for a while may need a reminder of why he/she chose their profession. “Alphabet Meditations” is meant to be nearby in the classroom for those moments when the teacher needs to catch a breath and focus on his/her ability to guide his/her students in the best way possible.
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Direct Hits Toughest Vocabulary Of The Sat 4th Edition
by
Direct Hits
code7r
, March 31, 2012
“Direct Hits Toughest Vocabulary of the SAT 4th Edition” is a tool for anyone taking the SAT to help do well in vocabulary. It covers 210 of the SAT’s most difficult words and breaks them down into a language that will help the student retain the information better. Each word has, besides the definition, examples of its use through movies and television shows that are popular, musical references including groups, historical events and headlines from the news. This book covers words from disciplines such as science, social science, and literature; words with multiple meanings; and words that are considered the toughest on the SAT. What I really like about this book is that it isn’t overwhelming. The size of the book itself is compact and could be easily taken anywhere. Anytime you can break down a word and show its use in a context that most highschoolers would understand is great! A great example of this is with the word “myriad” MYRIAD: Many; numerous In “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,” MYRIAD problems test Harry during his sixth year at Hogwarts. It then continues to demonstrate what some of these challenges were and reuses the word MYRIAD in the final sentence. The book also has a fast review with quick definitions towards the end and 35 practice questions at the end. I think that students reading this book are more likely to remember these words due to the popular subjects that they are incorporated in. It makes these vocabulary words more relevant to their experiences in their lifetimes. It is also a good book to keep around for any person as a way to increase and improve their own vocabulary in their own lives.
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Invisible Thread the True Story of an 11 Year Old Panhandler a Busy Sales Executive & an Unlikely Meeting with Destiny
by
Laura L Schroff, Alex Tresniowski, Valerie Salembier
code7r
, March 30, 2012
“An Invisible Thread” by Laura Schroff and Alex Tresniowski is a true story of a successful ad sales rep, Laura Schroff, and a homeless 11 year old panhandler, Maurice, who by chance for an unlikely friendship in the heart of Manhattan. 11 year old Maurice was asking for money because he was hungry. Laura Schroff walked right on by without noticing him. Then, for no reason, she stops, turns around and offers to take Maurice to McDonalds for some food. Thus began what would become a weekly tradition between Maurice and Laura. Reading about Maurice was heartbreaking. It is hard to imagine that a child would have to live like he did with a drug addicted parents and extended family, never knowing where he was going to sleep or when he was going to eat. Maurice has grown up learning never to trust anyone. Until he meets Laura and takes a chance. Laura is brutally honest about herself and Maurice in this book. She grew up in a household with an alcoholic father. She became a successful ad sales rep despite not having gone to college. Although she was successful, she was missing something in her life. Turns out, it was Maurice that she was missing. This is a feel good story about a chance encounter, learning to trust, and opening your heart. Laura and Maurice are incredible people who changed each other’s lives for the better.
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Ten Questions - The Insider's Guide to Saving Money on Auto Insurance: Hidden Discounts Revealed
by
John David
code7r
, March 30, 2012
“Ten Questions: The Insider’s Guide to Saving Money on Auto Insurance” by John David doesn’t really need much of an introduction. The title explains it all. Mr. David has written thousands of auto insurance policies in 30 states and was ranked #1 Sales Agent nationwide. He definitely knows about auto insurance. I liked this book because Mr. David really breaks down the questions you should ask your auto insurance agent and how to get the best deal for your needs at the lowest cost. He doesn’t dumb it down, but talks to the reader as through he is talking to you directly in his office. He points out areas where you can save but most agents don’t tell you about. He covers the following areas: Risk Discounts Coverages Claims He even offers a sample quote process and where he goes step by step through the phone conversation you should have with your agent. This book is a must-read for anyone who owns an automobile. You will feel more empowered to get the discounts that you need and the coverage that you need. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Wife 22
by
Melanie Gideon
code7r
, March 30, 2012
“Wife 22: A Novel” by Melanie Gideon is a story about a woman, Alice Buckle, who is hitting middle age and is trying to figure out her life. She has been married to her husband for almost 20 years and has two teenage kids, 15 year old Zoe and 12 year old Peter. Her mother died at the age that Alice will be at her next birthday and she is unsure how to handle the fact that she will be older than her mother was when her mother passed away. All this is cluttering her mind when she sees in her email a message that starts out innocently enough: “You’ve been selected to participate in a marriage survey.” Agreeing to participate in this anonymous survey affects Alice’s life in a way that she couldn’t imagine as she begins to fall for “researcher 101” who is the person assigned to Alice to get and receive the answers for the survey. This book had me from page one where the first thing I read is “GOOGLE SEARCH “Eyelid Drooping”.” When I opened to this page, I found myself so caught up in the story that I couldn’t put the book down until I finished it. Ms. Gideon tells the story of Alice Buckle through narrative, internet searches, Facebook, and texting. Alice became a very believable character and I felt myself being caught up in her emotions, her confusions, and her life. There really are not any characters that detract from the story. Each person only adds to the richness of it. This is one of those rare books where I felt that I was literally looking into a magic ball and watching this other woman’s life play out. At the end of the book, I even had tears because of what Alice was going through and how she was reacting to and handling everything that is going on in her life. I want to say “kudos” to Ms. Gideon for a story well told. “Wife 22” is her first novel, but I cannot envision it being her last. At least, I hope that it isn’t her last. She has a way of connecting to the reader and I look forward to looking into another magic ball where I cannot look away until I know how it ends. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Awakening Consciousness: A Boy's Guide!
by
Robin Marvel
code7r
, March 27, 2012
“Awakening Consciousness: A Boy’s Guide!” by Robin Marvel is a fun workbook for boys to help them get in touch with their spiritual awareness. By doing the exercises within, boys will learn how to read auras and how to have a healthy aura, chakras, meditation, meeting his spirit guide and more. Each section ends with either an area for the child to draw (e.g.: “Now that you have felt your energy field, use the space below to draw a picture or write down how you feel about it.”) and or write about (e.g.: “Use the space below to write all the things you love about you.”). The author has interspersed Native American stories throughout to help illustrate what that chapter. I think that the great thing about this book is that if a child draws and writes in all the sections, it will become a precious keepsake for him and something that he can return to when he is going through a troubling time. It will help remind him that he is so unique and special and that he should always remember that he is valuable and loveable and worthy.
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Cinderella's Magical Wheelchair: An Empowering Fairy Tale
by
Jewel Kats
code7r
, March 27, 2012
“Cinderella’s Magical Wheelchair” by Jewel Kats (illustrated by Richa Kinra) is a delightful book for children. In this version, Cinderella is in a wheelchair. Does that stop her from going to the ball and winning the heart of the prince? No way! Jewel Kats has given a modern twist to this old tale. Cinderella is in a wheelchair, but that isn’t the focus of the story. The wheelchair is just a part of the story. Cinderella comes across as a strong, independent woman who actually doesn’t need the prince to have a sense of worth. I think that this would be a fun story enjoyed by all children. Having a disability doesn’t mean that you can’t do things. Being a girl doesn’t mean you need to be saved by the prince. Ms. Kats reminds us all of that!
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Running the Maze A Sniper Novel
by
Jack Coughlin, Donald A Davis
code7r
, March 24, 2012
“Running the Maze” by Jack Coughlin is not a novel that I thought I would enjoy reading. Much to my surprise, I found myself caught up in the story as soon as I started reading it and couldn’t put it down. It is the story of a Coast Guard sniper, Beth Ledford, and a Special Agent, Kyle Swanson, need to team up and find out what was happening in Pakistan. Beth’s brother, a doctor on a medical relief mission in Pakistan, is killed due to something he saw. Beth is determined to find out what was so important that her brother needed to be murdered to keep it secret. The author keeps the book moving at a quick pace. His characters are well fleshed out and believable. I also liked getting a glimpse inside Pakistan and who the new leader of Al-Qaeda would by and what type of fortress he would live in. Gunnery Sgt. Jack Coughlin does a great job delivering a very realistic story, with believable characters, and never a dull moment! Although this is not a book I would typically buy, I can see myself eagerly purchasing other books from this author. **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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The Storytellers: Anterria - Book One
by
Rebecca McKinsey
code7r
, March 23, 2012
“The Storytellers: Anterria ��" Book One” by Rebecca McKinsey is a fantasy novel where a 16 year old girl, Hannah Merchant finds herself mysteriously pulled into another reality. Hannah isn’t your typical 16 year old girl. She loves books and finds herself filling notebooks upon notebooks with her own stories and illustrations. This is to the chagrin of her parents who are rich and think their daughter should be more refined. In the story, we only see Hannah in our world for a short period of time, but Ms. McKinsey does a good job conveying, in that little bit of time, a glimpse of what Hannah is like and what her life is like. And then the reader is off on only what I can call a rollercoaster ride. Hannah suddenly finds herself in a strange place where a man is being chased by an “apparition [that] had the shape of a wolf, but was made of what looked like black smoke trying to hold itself together in the shape of four legs and a head.” Here we meet Aaron, the mysterious man who won’t take off his gloves, who becomes Hannah’s companion for the rest of the story. I believe this is Ms. McKinsey’s debut book and she definitely proves that she is a storyteller, just like her main character. This book will appeal to tweens on up and, although the main character is a girl, boys will like it for all the action that goes on. There is an evil king, a witch, a war, shadows… all things that boys like. But it also will appeal to girls because of the main character, Hannah. Hannah comes across as a very mature, intelligent girl who has a lot of confidence in herself. My only complaint is that I did get a little lost at times with the minor characters and trying to keep straight who was who and why they were important. “Anterria” is the first in a trilogy and I am interested to see where the author takes this story.
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Say It with Success: Foolproof Ways to Improve Your Presentation
by
Shannon Alter
code7r
, March 23, 2012
“Say it with Success: Foolproof Ways to Improve Your Presentation Skills” by Shannon Alter, CPM, shows the reader how to speak in front of people with a sense of confidence and the do’s and don’ts on speaking/presentations. Some of the things the author covers are: Setting the Tone Getting organized and doing your homework Grabbing the audience’s attention from your first word Common errors that can sabotage your presentation How to get over stage fright \ Reading this book, I felt like the author was personally giving me a presentation on how to give a presentation. Her exuberance and knowledge flow throughout the book. The book isn’t a comprehensive guide, but more of a handy guide to help remind the reader on the fine points of speaking/presenting. It is small enough to carry around in your briefcase or purse so that you can refer to it wherever you are. The author, throughout the book, offers instances from her own life to illustrate her points. Giving it that personal touch made me feel that she had a lot of experience and that she was not afraid to show her mistakes and how she fixed them. This book does lean towards giving presentations in the business world, but could definitely be applied to students in a school setting, or anywhere one has to talk to others. By following Ms. Alter’s advice, one is sure to have a better presentation! **This book was received for free through Goodreads First Reads. That in no way influenced my review.**
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Got an Angry Kid? Parenting Spike: A Seriously Difficult Child
by
Andrew D. Gibson
code7r
, March 14, 2012
“Got An Angry Kid? We have a solution. Parenting Spike: A Seriously Difficult Child” by Andrew D. Gibson, Ph.D., is a book that outlines P.A.C.T. ��" The Parenting Angry Children and Teens Training Program. This book is for parents of a child who is in a constant state of anger and the parents feel like they are fighting a losing battle and losing control of their child. Dr. Gibson came up with P.A.C.T. when he was dealing with a son who had anger issues. He can definitely relate to how parents are feeling with an out-of-control child. Dr. Gibson illustrates what he means by an angry child by telling us the story of “Spike” throughout the book and then talking about what parents can do based on these situations. He offers 28 steps that the parent will need to implement to bring about some peace in the household. As he states, “Your task is not merely changing your interaction with Spike. You must change your interactions everywhere so that you don’t run the danger of bringing them back to Spike.” It isn’t about just changing the behavior of the child, but the parent has to change his/her behavior also. Only by the parent willing to change will the child be able to change. Dr. Gibson uses real life stories to demonstrate the bad behavior and then how to use P.A.C.T. to implement changes. He holds your hand throughout the process and gives encouragement along the way. By using this training program, I can definitely see how it would positively affect the lives of angry children and their family. By incorporating the 28 steps into your daily life will give you the skills to deal with some of the challenges that you encounter with other people. It definitely takes a commitment to follow P.A.C.T., but Dr. Gibson shows that if you are committed, then things can and will change for the better. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if you have patience.
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